How Covid-19 Might Spread to You

[S Landreth]

Buri Ram makes Covid vaccinations compulsory

Authorities in Buri Ram have issued an order requiring everyone in the province to be vaccinated against Covid-19 or risk being fined or jailed for up to two years.

The order came from the governor, Thatchakorn Hatathathayakul, who chaired a provincial communicable disease committee meeting on Friday.

To prevent further virus transmission and help public health officials manage the vaccination drive, people aged 18 and over who live or work in the province must assess their risk of Covid-19 infection with village health volunteers, or via an online system or through a vaccination coordinating centre before the end of this month.

Disease control and public health officials will have the authority to force at-risk people to be vaccinated, as well as set dates, schedules and places to administer Covid-19 vaccines to them.

The authority stems from the 2015 Communicable Disease Act, violations of which carry a maximum one month in prison and/or fines that could be as high as 20,000 baht, depending on which part of the act is applied.

Those who refuse to be vaccinated may also be liable to a maximum two years in prison and/or a fine up to 40,000 baht for breaching the emergency decree.

The main vaccine the government is distributing right now is Coronavac, made by Sinovac Biotech in China, as the first batch of the locally produced AstraZeneca vaccine will not be available until early June.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...ons-compulsory

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Thailand crosses 100,000 mark with 2,302 new Covid-19 cases and 24 deaths

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration on Sunday reported 2,302 new cases, including 23 overseas arrivals, and 24 deaths over a 24-hour period.

Bangkok again led the list of most cases with 1,218, followed by 243 in Pathum Thani and 117 in Samut Prakan.

Eight of the deaths were in Bangkok, two each in Chonburi, Pathum Thani, and Kanchanaburi, one each in Chiang Mai, Si Sa Ket, Ratchaburi, Samut Prakan, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, Rayong, Nakhon Nayok and Ayutthaya provinces.

Of the fatalities, 13 were men and 11 women. The ages of those who succumbed to the virus ranged from 39 to 91. All of them reportedly suffered from chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, etc. The source of infection was mostly found in family, contact with a patient, travel to a risk area and contact with co-workers.

Seven overseas travellers from Sweden, United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, Philippines, Cambodia and Myanmar were found positive in quarantine, while 16 crossed the border from Malaysia, and Cambodia.

Dr Apisamai Srirangsan, the spokesperson of the CCSA, told a press conference that most of the illegal border crossers were Thais. The officials are now trying to convince these people to enter the country legally since it might affect virus control measures.

Meanwhile, 2,136 patients have recovered and been discharged in the last 24 hours. So far, 65,803 have recovered and been discharged, 35,055 patients are still in hospitals, and 589 have died.

As of Sunday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 101,447. Of these, 94,089 had been contracted locally while 3,325 were returnees.: https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000938

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

a blessing in disguise?

Thailand crosses 100,000 mark with 2,302 new Covid-19 cases and 24 deaths

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

Meanwhile, 2,136 patients have recovered and been discharged in the last 24 hours. So far, 65,803 have recovered and been discharged, 35,055 patients are still in hospitals, and 589 have died.

As of Sunday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 101,447. Of these, 94,089 had been contracted locally while 3,325 were returnees.: https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000938

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

1,104 more inmates of Thonburi Prison found with COVID-19 on Sunday

1,104 more confirmed COVID-19 cases have been found in Thonburi Remand Prison today (Sunday), in addition to the 1,219 cases reported in three prisons yesterday, 506 cases in Klong Prem prison on Friday, and 2,835 cases reported in two prisons on Wednesday, according to the Corrections Department.

According to the department’s press release today (Sunday), the infected inmates in Thonburi are either asymptomatic or are exhibiting only mild symptoms and that anti-viral Favipiravir tablets have been administered to those with mild symptoms. Active RT-PCR screening is being conducted on inmates who were previously cleared of the disease, to make sure that they are not infected, before being separated from the other inmates.

The department also said that it has coordinated with a network of hospitals, to prepare for the setting up of field hospitals and to reserve sufficient anti-viral medication for infected inmates, adding that the escalated monitoring will enable containment of viral transmission in prisons.

According to the latest figure from the department, there are 4,169 prisoners in Thonburi Remand Prison. 621 of them were reported yesterday to have contracted the virus. With new cases reported at the prison today, total infections shot up to 1,725.: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/1104-mo...-19-on-sunday/

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

400 site worker housing facilities in and around Bangkok facing tighter anti-COVID-19 controls

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), and major construction companies in Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan and Nonthaburi, have been instructed by the CCSA to tighten up preventive measures at about 400 construction site worker housing facilities, after the discovery of clusters of COVID-19 infections at sites in Laksi and Wattana districts.

CCSA Spokesman Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, said the CCSA discussed cluster infections in some worker housing facilities today and expressed concern that similar clusters could erupt at other sites, due to their cramped conditions and the mix of nationalities among the workers.

The latest estimate, by the BMA, shows that there are about 24,600 Thai workers and about 34,600 migrant workers, from Myanmar and Cambodia, scattered across about 400 construction sites in Bangkok and the three neighboring provinces.

In Wattana district of Bangkok, Dr. Taweesin said that the infection rate among the workers is about 14.25%, compared to 8.85% in Suan Luang district.

He hinted that the Samut Sakhon model might have to be adopted if the worker housing infections spread.

In Samut Sakhon, during the peak of infections among Myanmar migrant workers earlier this year, their dormitories and the Central Shrimp Market were locked down and barricaded, with those inside prohibited from leaving, and entry by outsiders banned.: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/400-sit...d-19-controls/

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Two of Bangkok’s fresh markets closed after traders and workers found infected with COVID-19

The Central Din Daeng and Yingcharoen markets in Bangkok are to be closed from tomorrow (Sunday) until May 21st and May 23rd respectively, after several traders and workers in there were found to be infected with COVID-19.

The National Housing Authority’s Nakhon Luang housing office issued the order on Friday, after the Din Daeng district office had been conducting active screening of traders and workers in the market since May 10th and found numerous people testing positive for the disease.

The market will be cleaned and disinfected and remain off-limits until it resumes operations.

At the Yingcharoen market, in Bang Khen district, the management has decided to close the market from tomorrow until May 23rd after 10 traders and workers, who were regarded as high risk, tested positive for the virus.

The market’s management said in its announcement that traders and workers, many of them migrant workers, as well as people living in a community nearby will be given free COVID-19 tests from tomorrow until May 20th.

It added that the manager of the market will notify them about appointments for screening. Meanwhile, they are asked to stay home, with a terse warning that those who venture out will be banned from entering the market again, or fired in the case they are employed there and have their rental contracts cancelled in case of the traders.: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/two-of-...with-covid-19/

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

62 provinces get orders to prepare vaccination centres

he Interior Ministry on Friday told provincial governors and chambers of commerce in 62 provinces to prepare 322 locations in their areas for vaccinating people against Covid-19.

The order, signed by ministry permanent secretary Chatchai Phromlert, also attached the floor plans made by Siam Cement Group and Central Group, who have converted their facilities into vaccination units in Bangkok, as a guide for private parties in provincial areas who wish to turn their sites into vaccination venues.

The provinces and suggested locations are as follows:

Northern region: 46 locations in 11 provinces, namely Kamphaeng Phet, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok, Phrae, Phayao, Phichit, Lampang, Phetchabun, Sukhothai and Tak.

Northeastern region: 63 locations in 16 provinces: Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Phanom, Buri Ram, Mukdahan, Maha Sarakham, Yasothon, Roi Et, Loei, Sakon Nakhon, Surin, Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani.

Central region: 98 locations in 18 provinces: Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Nakhon Pathom, Chai Nat, Nakhon Sawan, Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Saraburi, Suphanburi, Singburi, Ang Thong, Kanchanaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phetchaburi and Ratchaburi.

Eastern region: 52 locations in 7 provinces: Chanthaburi, Chonburi, Chachoengsao, Trat, Prachinburi, Rayong, and Sa Kaew.

Southern region: 63 locations in 10 provinces: Krabi, Chumphon, Trang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phang Nga, Phatthalung, Phuket, Ranong, Songkhla and Surat Thani.: https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000896

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Prison clusters help boost Covid cases by record 9,635 Monday

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

The government on Monday recorded 9,635 new Covid-19 cases -- by far Thailand's biggest one-day increase since the start of the pandemic -- along with 25 Covid-related deaths.

Of the new cases, 6,853 were found in prisons, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration -- 71% of the daily increment.

The accumulated death toll in Thailand is now 614, with 111,082 coronavirus infections logged since early last year -- meaning the new cases announced on Monday amounted to an almost 10% increase in the historical caseload in a single 24-hour period.

Data from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) showed that prisons in Chiang Mai and Bangkok held the most infected inmates.

Aside from the 6,853 new prisoners diagnosed with Covid-19, Bangkok led new transmissions with 1,843 cases, followed by Samut Prakan (155) and Pathum Thani (146).

CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin said the biggest concern was a continued surge in Bangkok with 28 clusters in 19 districts.

They were Din Daeng, Wattana, Klong Toey, Lak Si, Lat Phrao, Ratchathewi, Phra Nakhon, Promprap Sattruphai, Suan Luang, Pathumwan, Sathon, Samphanthawong, Chatuchak, Bang Rak, Prawet, Wang Thonglang, Ramkhamhaeng, Bangkok Noi and Huai Kwang.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...d-9-635-monday

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

1 million doses of Sinovac vaccine delivered this week

A total of one million doses of Sinovac vaccine has been delivered to Thailand this week, the Chinese Embassy informed on its Facebook page on Saturday.

The embassy said 500,000 doses each had been delivered on Friday and Saturday.

Thailand has received a total of 4.5 million Sinovac doses, in seven instalments.: https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000912

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Impact opens doors to virus patients

A new field hospital called "Busarakam" opened on Friday at Impact Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi for up to 5,000 Covid-19 patients with moderate symptoms from Bangkok and its surrounding provinces.

Translated as "topaz" in Thai, Busarakam was set up as a cooperative venture between Impact executives led by Peter and Paul Kanjanapas and the Ministry of Public Health and will mainly take on patients from what officials have labelled a "yellow" group of patients on a colour-coded severity scale.

The facility has been designed to enable hospitals to focus on those needing intensive hospital care in the red group while it and other so-called "hospitels" scattered around the country provide care for those whose condition mostly requires isolation and monitoring.

What has been described as Thailand's third wave of Covid-19 broke out in April after a spate of cases was traced back to nightclubs and bars in Bangkok's well-heeled Thong Lor area.

Most of those who have tested positive since then have done so for the B117 strain of the virus first identified in the UK which is believed to be almost twice as contagious as the variant first associated with earlier cases.

In just six weeks, the number of infections in the kingdom has climbed to more than 67,000, which is already double the figure recorded during the whole of 2020.

Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who attended Friday's opening of the facility, said medical staff would be available around the clock to take care of patients, and said he was sure staff at Busarakam would be able to cope with their patients.

"But if their condition deteriorates, they will immediately be transferred to hospitals for treatment," he said.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who presided over the opening ceremony, thanked the private sector for its cooperation in providing support for the Public Health Ministry to set up this field hospital.

The Bangkok Post also visited the site on Friday shortly after the opening ceremony.

The hospital will be staffed by a rotation of medical personnel approved by the Office of the Permanent Secretary of Public Health and has been fitted out with medical equipment including respirators, X-Ray equipment, high-flow oxygen therapy machines and a standardised laboratory.

It is located in the 20,000-square-metre Challenger 3 Hall and divided into four zones for male patients, female patients, a mixed ward and patients who in need of oxygen support.

There are also 100 negative pressure rooms for patients at the more severe end of the group they will be treating.

Cardboard beds made from recycled paper with blankets and pillows are provided for hospitalised patients and Wi-Fi internet access and mobile phone charging points are available throughout the facility to ensure patients can stay in touch with friends and family.

The hospital has also installed 120 CCTV cameras around the hall so patients can be monitored by 780 medical staff from 60 provinces less hard-hit by the current outbreak. They have been assigned to provide care by the ministry.

There are also over 100 life support machines on standby should any patients deteriorate rapidly before they can be moved to a nearby hospital.

Kiattiphum Wongrajit, permanent secretary for public health, said Bangkok has around 26,000 beds, but unfortunately 60% of them are already occupied by Covid-19 patients with moderate and critical symptoms.

Currently 100 of 1,000 ICU beds remain available but are expected to be taken in the coming weeks, he said.

Dr Kiattiphum said some patients at low risk of a poor outcome ("green" on the government scale) are being treated in hospitals, which takes away resources from other patients.

Meanwhile, Department of Health chief Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai said his team will supervise waste management at the new facility which is likely to be busy and in need of regular disinfection.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...virus-patients

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Third-wave dampens TAT’s bid to boost domestic tourism

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) believes it will not be able to meet its 2021 target because few people are travelling due to the third wave of Covid-19.

TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the organization expects 90 million locals to take trips this year, slightly less than 90.52 million in 2020.

People have been taking fewer trips because the Covid-19 crisis has been affecting incomes and their decision to spend, he said.

In the first quarter of the year, less than 20 million locals went travelling, he said, adding that TAT and the Tourism and Sports Ministry had initially aimed for 100-120 million local tourists this year.

Yuthasak added that TAT plans to introduce promotions to stimulate domestic tourism once the third wave ends.: https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000968

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

New COVID-19 measures for Simummuang market vendors imposed this week

Thailand’s largest fruit and vegetable market, Simummuang, located in Pathum Thani province, has imposed new restrictions on its traders and workers, effective today for seasoned and imported vegetable sections, and this Friday (May 21st) for the rest of the market, according to the market’s Facebook page.

The new measures require Thai nationals to show their ID cards and foreign migrant workers to show their passports, as well as a COVID19-free health certificate, issued after May 7th. Blood test certificates, or tests conducted before May 7th, are not accepted.

These restrictions are not being applied to customers, who are free to enter the market around the clock, provided that they wear face masks all the time, wash their hands with sanitation gel and maintain strict social distancing.

Meanwhile, the Pathum Thani provincial health office reported 146 new COVID-19 cases yesterday, raising the total in the province, since April 1st, to 3,061. Of those, 1,749 are still being treated in hospitals and 1,293 have recovered. The provincial death toll is 19.

Of the new infections yesterday, 109 were detected during active screening and 37 are under observation and treatment.

The provincial health office is urging customers, who visited the seasoned and imported vegetable sections of the market between April 20th and May 10th, to assess their risk and to visit their nearest hospital for COVID-19 testing. The sections were closed last week after some vendors and workers tested positive.

A field hospital has been set up in Pathum Thani’s Lam Luk Ka district, to accommodate those testing positive for the disease.: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/new-cov...sed-this-week/

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

• COVID-19 could lead to erectile dysfunction, new study suggests

There are new findings about how the coronavirus is causing some long-term side effects in men.

University of Miami doctors are finding coronavirus in men's penile tissue several months after they get well. And in some, it is causing severe erectile dysfunction.

Urologist and Director of Men's Health at Tulane, Dr. Omer Raheem, is seeing patients who have E.D. after being infected with the coronavirus. He is also seeing other health problems in addition to E.D., such as lowered testosterone which is the male hormone. That causes men to become lethargic and have a lower sex drive. The virus also invades the testicles. Research is still looking into the effects on sperm quality, infertility and pregnancy, as well as if the virus can be spread during sex.

“We know from data that the virus actually present in seamen fluid. What the implication of that virus in the semen, transported to a woman, yet to be determined,” Dr. Raheem said.

Dr. Raheem says erectile dysfunction after COVID is more likely to affect men with pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. It is not known if the damage to the penile tissue is permanent or not. Some patients are helped with medications such as Viagra, but the two men in the study needed penile implants to have an erection.: https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/h...1-d3b753d13439

• Coronavirus Cases: 164,287,888

Deaths: 3,404,891

Under reported US death count: 600,533

American Civil War Casualties (North and South) - 214,938

it's been blown way out of proportion.

[S Landreth]

Thailand hits new high of 35 deaths, including newborn, and 2,473 confirmed cases

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Tuesday reported 35 deaths and 2,473 new cases, including 23 overseas arrivals, over the past 24 hours.

Bangkok again led the list of most cases with 873, followed by 155 in Nonthaburi, 121 in Samut Prakan and 117 in Pathum Thani.

Of the fatalities, 16 were in Bangkok, two each in Chiang Rai, Songkhla and Samut Prakan, and one each in Ubon Ratchathani, Sa Kaeo, Si Sa Ket, Rayong, Chonburi, Pathum Thani, Chaiyaphum, Lopburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, Chumphon, Saraburi and Surat Thani.

Patients who succumbed to the virus ranged in age from newborns to 93. All patients reportedly suffered from chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, etc.

Of the 23 infections brought from overseas, 22 were Thai nationals, including 12 from India, five from Cambodia, four from Malaysia and one from the UAE. The 23rd arrival was a Polish national from India.

Meanwhile, 2,718 patients have recovered and been discharged in the last 24 hours.

As of Tuesday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 113,555. Of these, 98,632 had been contracted locally, 11,428 in jails and 3,495 were returnees.

Meanwhile, 69,918 patients have recovered and been discharged, 42,988 patients are still in hospitals, and 649 have died.

Separately, 38,332 people have been given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, while 38,355 people were given their second shot, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in Thailand to 2,340,995.: https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001014

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Bangkok extends closures of several venues until May 31 as eateries reopen today

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has extended closures of several venues including schools until May 31st, with an exception of eateries which can reopen today (Monday), according to a BMA announcement issued yesterday.

Previous BMA announcements, issued on April 25th and 30th, ordering the closure of all entertainment venues, movie theatres, fitness clubs, children’s playgrounds, educational institutes, all competition grounds, boxing rings, horse, race courses and public swimming pools are due to expire today. The new announcement has extended the closures for two more weeks.

Dine-in service in eateries are permissible up to 9pm, with the number of diners limited to one per table which normally seats four people, but no alcohol may be served. Take-home and delivery services can continue until 11pm.

The latest announcement followed a meeting of the Bangkok Communicable Disease Committee on Sunday, which assessed the COVID-19 spread in the capital, where 27 clusters of infections have been reported in 17 districts.

Only seven clusters have been brought under control so far, while efforts are ongoing to contain the spread of the disease in the remainder.

Clusters in prisons are the responsibility of the Corrections Department, the latest update from which says 6,853 inmates have, so far, been found to be infected with the disease.: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/bangkok...-reopen-today/

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.