Covid-stricken Samut Sakhon governor monitored hourly after condition worsens
Samut Sakhon governor Verasak Vichitsangsri is being monitored hourly after being hit by a secondary infection during his recovery from Covid-19, said Dr Prasit Watanapa, dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital.
Dr Prasit revealed on Wednesday that bacteria resistant to treatment was detected in the governor’s lungs and Verasak’s brain function is affected. A new antibiotic has been administered and medics will monitor for 72 hours to see if his body responds to the drug, the doctor added.
Verasak’s Covid-19 infection has subsided, but the virus has affected lung function while the bacterial infection has destroyed lung tissue. The governor remains on a ventilator more than a month after being confirmed infected with Covid-19 on December 17.
Verasak, 58, was treated with the antiviral drug Favipiravir.
“All we have to do is administer antibiotics and remove mucus as much as possible to reduce infection in the body. As for the work of the brain, there has been an effect because the governor is older and has underlying cerebrovascular disease. The medical team are doing their best, "Dr Prasit said.