How Covid-19 Might Spread to You

[S Landreth]

Woof woof: Thailand’s virus sniffer dogs to detect COVID19 in communities

Bangkok (AP) – Thailand’s dog virus-detecting squad are ready for their close up.

Posing at a photo-opportunity organised by the Faculty of Veterinary Science at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University, they are demonstrating how they are ready to patrol the streets, hoping to locate people with COVID-19.

The canine team will soon be sent to communities suspected of being new COVID-19 hotspots to screen people with possible infections.

The dogs will work inside a mobile unit, while the collecting team can comb through the community collecting samples.

Tiger, a Labrador Retriever, sits in front of a sample of human sweat after detecting the COVID-19 coronavirus at a mobile canine unit in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, June 17, 2021. Thailand has deployed a canine virus detection squad to help provide a fast and effective way of identifying people with COVID-19 as the country faces a surge in cases, with clusters found in several crowded slum communities and large markets. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Nasa, Tiger, Angel and Apollo are among the six Labrador retrievers that have been trained by researchers at the Faculty of Veterinary Science.

Their job is to sniff out a unique odour that people with COVID-19 produce in their sweat.

After six months of intense training, researchers say the success rate is nearly 95%.

Jittaphap Chuanwong, a dog trainer, says while the dogs performed well right at the beginning of the training, they were worried that they won’t detect new variants of the virus.

“There are changes in the virus. There are variants and the smells are different. We were worried that the dogs wouldn’t be identify them but we were all determined to find out the answer, with people from Chulalongkorn University and, (the sponsor), Chevron. And it turned out that the dogs could detect them,” explains Jittaphap.

Sweat samples collected from people are placed in metal containers.

The dogs are trained to walk past the samples and sniff them.

If it is positive, it will sit in front of it.

This testing is done inside an air-conditioned truck converted into a mobile unit.

“The dogs need to be able to concentrate while they are working. So we need a working space for them to work where they can sniff properly. If we don’t have the mobile unit, we would have to find and create a space for them.” says researcher Chutamas Benjanirut.: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/woof-wo...n-communities/

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Plastic, infectious waste surges due to pandemic

The jump in food delivery orders during the Covid-19 pandemic has caused the volume of plastic and infectious waste to spike, according to an environmental situation report presented to the cabinet on Tuesday.

After the report was presented, deputy government spokeswoman, Traisuree Taisaranakul admitted the demand for meal deliveries had risen as more people were forced to work from home due to the pandemic.

Most of the food, she said, was packed in plastic containers, the majority of which ends up in the rubbish bin.

In addition, the amount of infectious waste, which requires special treatment prior to disposal, has also increased in parallel with the rising number of Covid-19 cases in recent months -- especially in communities where many people were being quarantined.

As such, the deputy spokesperson urged eateries and food delivery service operators to find a way to reduce the use of plastic packaging. Furthermore, she said, consumers should get into the habit of sorting their rubbish.

Infectious waste, such as used face masks, should be double-wrapped in plastic bags, which should be tightly tied and clearly labelled before they are put out for collection. Ms Traisuree added the annual report noted several concerns which require close monitoring this year.

They include a possible increase in forest fires, lower reserves of usable water in dams and reservoirs, worse air pollution in urban areas.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...ue-to-pandemic

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

BMA hunts for clusters in Yannawa markets, communities

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) on Wednesday surveyed markets and workers’ camps in Yannawa district in a bid to nip new Covid-19 clusters in the bud.

Wallaya Wattanarat, BMA deputy permanent secretary, said the number of Covid-19 cases is rising due to the quick transmission of the virus.

“So, BMA has instructed district offices across the city to work on curbing the spread of Covid-19, especially in markets, communities and workers’ camps,” Wallaya said.

Retailers and staff underwent Covid-19 tests in six markets in Yannawa district, namely Rungcharoen, Hiso, Wat Dokmai, Lan Sai, Perm Sap and Bang Pong Pang. City officials have collected 75 samples in each market.

BMA officials also visited the Pre-Built company’s workers’ camp on Rama III Soi 77 to check if steps have been taken to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Of the 609 workers inside the camp, 252 had earlier this month tested positive for Covid-19. Of them, 146 are being treated in hospitals or field hospitals and 106 are awaiting test results.

Officials found that Pre-Built has implemented preventive measures such as keeping the area well ventilated, disinfecting the surroundings and monitoring workers’ symptoms.

“Yannawa district officials have been instructed to monitor the situation in the area to control the spread of Covid-19 effectively,” Wallaya added.: https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002099

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Delta variant now accounts for nearly 10% of Bangkok infections

A total of 496 cases of Covid-19’s Delta variant were detected in Thailand from April 7 to June 13, the Department of Medical Sciences revealed on Wednesday.

Bangkok is the epicentre of the Delta outbreak with 404 cases, said the department’s director-general Dr Supakit Sirilak. Ten of these cases were found in 3 or 4 hospitals in the centre of the city, he added. The Delta strain now accounts for 9.8 per cent of all infections in the capital.

Another 28 Delta cases were recently found in Pathum Thani, 8 in Nakhon Nayok, 3 in Sakon Nakhon, 2 in Phayao, 2 in Ubon Ratchathani, and one apiece in Chiang Rai, Phetchabun, Chonburi, Chanthaburi, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Loei and Buri Ram.

However, the Alpha variant first found in the UK is still the dominant strain of Covid-19 in Thailand.

Of the 5,055 Covid-19 samples tested since April 7, 4,528 or 89.6 per cent were Alpha.

Local cases of the Beta variant (South Africa) remain confined to Narathiwat’s Tak Bai district, which has added two more Beta infections to the 26 recorded earlier. Three other Beta cases were recently detected in a Samut Prakan state quarantine centre.

“The Delta strain is 40 per cent more infectious than the Alpha and requires close monitoring week by week,” said Supakit. He warned that Delta could account for half of all Thai cases in 2-3 months if the epidemic was not controlled. He added that Bangkok – especially a Laksi construction camp – had been linked with outbreaks of Delta in other provinces.

Meanwhile, the Department of Science reports that its study of 200 people inoculated with two doses of Sinovac vaccine shows it offers 100 per cent protection against the original virus but only 50-60 per cent against the Alpha variant.: https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002108

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Avoid sex in case of COVID-19 risks, Thailand’s Health Department says

Thailand’s Heath Department has recommended that lovers and spouses avoid sex, if there is a risk of getting infected with COVID-19, and avoid sex with strangers.

Director of the Office of Reproductive Health at the Health Department Dr. Peerayuth Sanukul, said today (Wednesday) that having sex during the spread of COVID-19 infections is a health risk and, therefore, they should consider the risks and consequences to themselves and others in society before having sex.

He said that, if a person has tested positive for the virus, or is awaiting the result of a COVID-19 test, they should refrain from having sex until they are cleared of the disease.

Dr. Peerayuth also warned individuals to avoid having sex with strangers, to reduce the risk of getting infected, adding that anyone who is worried about having sex could access the Thai Save Thai website for risk assessment.: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/avoid-s...partment-says/

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

31 new Covid-19 cases in Ayutthaya

Thirty-one new Covid-19 infections have been confirmed in Ayutthaya as authorities speed up vaccinations among teachers in all districts to prepare for the opening of the school semester on July 1.

Ayutthaya governor Phanu Yaemsri on Thursday said the 31 cases raised the provincial total to 1,540. There were no new deaths and the fatalities stood at 16.

Of the new cases, 19 caught the virus in the province, two contracted the disease from other provinces, four got it from a cluster at a medical supplies factory and the remaining six had been to many places and could not tell where they had contracted the disease.

Mr Phanu said preparations were being made for the opening of the school semester on July 1. Covid-19 vaccinations have been sped up for teachers and staff at schools in this central province.

The provincial communicable disease control panel earlier decided to delay the opening of the school semester from June 14 until July 1 due to the number of cases in the province.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...s-in-ayutthaya

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Anutin: we'll do better from now on

About 1.6 million more doses of AstraZeneca vaccine are being delivered this week as the Public Health Ministry promises a more effective distribution in future.

The ministry also referred the first 1,000 elderly and those with underlying ailments, whose jabbing appointments at hospitals in Bangkok had been deferred due to a supply shortage, for vaccinations at Bang Sue Grand Station on Wednesday.

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the ministry received 600,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine on Wednesday and a further one million would arrive tomorrow.

Mr Anutin visited Bang Sue on Wednesday and met people who had registered via the Mor Prom app but been turned away by hospitals because vaccine supplies had run out.

The ministry arranged for them to be referred to Bang Sue and 1,000 of them had their first jabs there on Wednesday.

"It's about taking the load off the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)," Mr Anutin said. "It's clear that we [the ministry and the BMA] are not at odds over the vaccine rollout."

The minister earlier insisted there was a sufficient supply of vaccines and suggested the suspension of vaccinations at Bangkok hospitals might have been due to problems allocating the stock.

He reiterated that the elderly and people with underlying illnesses were more vulnerable to the virus and urgently required vaccinating.

He admitted that such priority groups had nevertheless had their appointments deferred so he thanked the Department of Disease Control and the Department of Medical Services for discussing changes in vaccination venues.

The Public Health Ministry says Bang Sue Grand Station can vaccinate up to 2,000 elderly people and those with underlying illnesses per day.

Mr Anutin said the goal was to finish vaccinating those two groups by the end of next month. In Bangkok, about 450,000 people from the two groups have secured vaccination appointments via the Mor Prom app.

Mr Anutin vowed that as soon as the additional 1.6 million doses arrive, they will be distributed around the country with the two groups being the first to be inoculated.

Bangkok will obtain a relatively large portion of the vaccine because it is where Covid-19 is heavily prevalent, he added.

He denied the AstraZeneca vaccine was being diverted in large amounts to Buri Ram, the constituency he represents.

"I know I'm being watched. If I had done something so foolish, it would have been [politically] suicidal," he said. As public health minister, he said he was only in charge of directing policy, not assigning vaccine quotas for each province.

Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin said 254,631 workers who are social security members have been inoculated in Bangkok since the vaccination rollout began on June 7.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...er-from-now-on

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Jab postponed? Go to Bang Sue Station if you are in priority group: Ministry

The Public Health Ministry has launched measures to help people who have registered for Covid-19 vaccination but are unable to get a jab.

The move comes after numerous hospitals across the country postponed vaccination appointments due to a shortage of vaccines.

Dr Somsak Akkasilp, chief of the ministry’s Department of Medical Services, advised people whose jab was postponed to call the hospital where their vaccination was booked.

He added that the elderly and people with seven chronic conditions whose appointment was postponed can get the jab at Bangkok’s Bang Sue Grand Station by contacting (02) 792 2333, where 20 phone lines are available.

"If there are problems, the Public Health Ministry will offer help,” he assured.

Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said 6 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine will be delivered in June and another 3 million doses soon after.

He added that the second dose of Sinovac is administered after two to four weeks, and AstraZeneca after 10 to 12 weeks.: https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002144

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Factories urged to fill risk evaluation forms in bid to ease uncertainty in Thai exports

The Industry Ministry is calling on all factory operators nationwide to fill up Covid-19 risk assessment forms via the Thai Stop Covid Plus and Thai Save Thai online platforms by June 30.

As of June 10, 7,777 people in 149 factories in 21 provinces had tested positive for Covid-19, sparking uncertainty about Thailand’s manufacturing standards and quality of exports.

The ministry’s permanent secretary Kobchai Sungsitthisawad said only 20 per cent of the 63,000 factories nationwide had filled the risk assessment forms.

“Factories that do not cooperate with the ministry may face punishment,” Kobchai said.

Meanwhile, the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) will kick off a Covid-19 vaccination drive to inoculate 677,619 workers in industrial estates nationwide from July 1.

IEAT governor Weris Amrapal said 438,424 of the workers were working in strictly controlled surroundings.

"The authority has set up vaccination stations to inoculate workers at eight industrial estates, namely Amata City Chonburi, Bang Phli, Map Ta Phut, Samut Sakhon, Sinsakhon, Wellgrow, Lad Krabang and Bangkadi Industrial Park," Weris said.

"Each vaccination station can provide approximately 8,000 jabs per day, and all the workers should be inoculated by August.”

He added that IEAT will also aim to inoculate 80 per cent of workers at six other industrial estates.

"Some factories have procured alternative vaccines for their workers, so the authorities will conduct a survey to see how many have yet to be vaccinated,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sanan Angubolkul, chair of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said factory workers testing positive was worrisome as it would have an impact on the export sector, especially with manufacturing temporarily suspended at the relevant factories.

He also pointed out that export is the only engine to drive the Thai economy for now.

"However, we expect the country's economy and exports to expand in the fourth quarter of this year," Sanan said.

He added that the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking expected the country’s gross domestic product to expand by 0.5-2 per cent and exports to expand 5-7 per cent this year.: https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40002140

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Delta variant likely to be dominant

The Medical Sciences Department (MSD) on Wednesday warned that the Delta variant of Covid-19 first identified in India may become a dominant strain in the country during the next two to three months because of the increased number of infections with this variant.

The warning was issued by MSD director-general Supakit Sirirak who asked the public to comply with measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 disease and get vaccinated as quickly as possible.

Speaking during a press briefing, Dr Supakit said the MSD was concerned over an increased number of infections with the Delta variant of Covid-19, saying 137 more Covid-19 patients with this variant have been detected this week in nine more provinces, except in the South.

Of them, 86 Covid-19 patients with this strain were detected in Bangkok, followed by 28 cases in Pathum Thani, eight in Nakhon Nayok, three in Sakon Nakhon, two in Phayao and Ubon Ratchathani, and one each in Chiang Rai, Phetchabun, Chon Buri, Chantaburi, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Loei and Buri Ram, he said.

However since testing for this variant began earlier this month, a total of 496 Covid-19 patients with this variant were found in 20 provinces. Bangkok alone had 404 cases, he said.

Dr Supakit said the Alpha variant of Covid-19 first identified in the United Kingdom was still the country's major variant, with 89.6% of all infections.

"We see that there is a sign of increasing infections with the new variant (Delta) that is now under the globe's top concerns due to its 40% faster rate of infections, compared with the Alpha variant," he said.

"The lab results show infections this week climbed up to 9%, compared with 8% last week.

"So, we need to follow the (Delta variant) cases closely and carefully. If the number of infections keeps going high, we will need to take some action against the cases, including a policy around the length of time for getting a second shot.

"We are now in the process to test the level of body immunity after getting the vaccine for backing up the decision."

Dr Supakit went on to say that most infected people were closely associated with workers living in construction site camps, where the first Delta variant case was detected in the country.These people moved from one place to another while carrying the virus.

Apart from construction site camps, he said the MSD detected 10 Covid-19 patients with this Delta variant at three hospitals in Bangkok.

Meanwhile, two more new Covid-19 patients with the Beta variant first identified in South Africa were found in Narathiwat this week. But from April to June, the MSD found 26 cases with the Beta variant in Tak Bai district of Narathiwat, he said.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...to-be-dominant

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Over 4.2 million doses of Sinopharm reserved in 3 days

Thai organisations reserved more than 4.2 million doses of Sinopharm in three days after Chulabhorn Royal Academy opened its registration process on Monday.

The academy invited organisations and firms to register for allocation of the alternative vaccine on Monday. A total of 12,793 organisations had reserved 4,242,409 doses as of yesterday, June 16.

The academy announced it will close the online reservation system on Friday (June 18) at 4pm. After this deadline, organisations will not be able to change the number of vaccines reserved.: https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002154

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Thailand - Woman who had recovered from Covid-19 dies of lung infection

A senior district official who had recovered from Covid-19 in April died on Tuesday after being hospitalised with severe lung inflammation.

Wannee Khongthong, 58, deputy district chief of registration, died while receiving treatment at Prachuap Khiri Khan Hospital, Muang district chief Sarawut Jirapithakkul said on Thursday .

He said her work colleagues had donated blood to help her, to no avail.

He said Wannee had previously been infected with the coronavirus disease and been treated, diagnosed as recovered and discharged in April.

About one week after she returned to work she developed symptoms of exhaustion and shortness of breath and returned to Prachuap Khiri Khan Hospital for Covid-19 testing.

The result was negative, but an X-ray showed white spots in her lungs, Mr Sarawut said.

Before being infected with the Covid-19 virus, Wannee and other staff in the registration unit had visited villages to provide ID cards for bed-ridden patients and elderly people, the Muang district chief said.

She and two other staff members had contracted Covid-19 and sought treatment at the hospital. After they had recovered, they self-quarantined at home for 14 days before returning to work, Mr Sarawut said.

Dr Suriya Khuharat, chief of the provincial public health office, said the woman's death was an interesting medical case study. Relatives could take her body for funeral rites as normal because she had not died from Covid-19.

Wannee had suffered from hypertension and was treated for Covid-19 from April 14-30, and was discharged from hospital with no symptoms.

On May 27, she had breathing difficulties but no cough or excessive phlegm, which are common Covid-19 symptoms.

She was able to eat without vomiting, but had a fever. She tested negative for Covid-19, but had a severe lung inflammation, Dr Suriya said.

The patient was put on a respirator. The hospital found she had a blood infection, respiratory failure and acute renal failure. She died on June 15, the provincial health chief said.

Asked if it was possible her illness was caused by her previous Covid-19 infection, he said there had been no reports in Thailand of people who recovered from the virus catching the disease again.

Besides, the woman showed no symptoms indicating her lungs were damaged during her earlier infection, Dr Suriya said.

If relatives wanted further investigation, they should provide tissue samples for testing at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital and Siriraj Hospital, to find out whether her death was related to Covid-19 or not, he said.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...lung-infection

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

• Coronavirus Cases: 178,634,909

Deaths: 3,867,764

Under reported US death count: 616,920

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

it's been blown way out of proportion.

[S Landreth]

Thailand - More than 3,600 new Covid cases reported

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

Thailand logged 32 deaths and 3,667 new Covid-19 cases, including 435 prison inmates and 32 returnees, on Saturday.

It was the third successive day of over 3,000 cases.

Meanwhile, 4,948 patients have recovered and been discharged in the last 24 hours.

As of Saturday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 214,449. So far, 181,358 have recovered and been discharged, 31,482 patients are still in hospitals and 1,609 have died.

Separately, 181,588 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, while 81,827 people were given their second shot. This brings the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in Thailand to over 7.4 million (7,483,083).: https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002215

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Free Covid testing at six locations in Bangkok on Sunday

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will provide Covid-19 testing for the general public free of charge at six locations in the province on Sunday from 8am

The BMA made the announcement via its facebook page @prbangkok.

“The service is part of the city’s active case finding campaign to prevent the emergence and spread of new cluster cases,” said the post.

The six locations are:

- Wat Sammakkhitham, Wangthonglang district

- Wat Soi Thong, Bang Sue district

- 72nd Anniversary Stadium, Minburi district

- Wat Wachirathamsathit, Phra Khanong district

- Wat Inthrawas, Taling Chan district

- Krungthon Campus, Thung Khru district

“Candidates must present an ID card together with a copy to register for free testing,” said the post.

“It is highly recommended to bring your own pen to reduce the risk of the virus spreading via touching. Test results will be notified via SMS within 48 hours.”: https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002216

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.