How Covid-19 Might Spread to You

[S Landreth]

• Worldwide COVID-19 death toll tops 6 million

The global COVID-19 death toll surpassed 6 million on Monday, marking another grim milestone as the pandemic enters its third year.

The deaths were reported by Johns Hopkins University's Coronavirus Resource Center, which noted that there had been over 250,000 deaths globally in the past 28 days.

The data also showed that there have been over 446,000,000 cases worldwide throughout the pandemic, including over 50,715,535 in the past 28 days. https://thehill.com/policy/healthcar...tops-6-million

Under reported US death count: 984,020

American Civil War Battle Deaths and In Theater (north and south) - 498,332

it's been blown way out of proportion.

• Thailand records 18,943 Covid-19 cases and 69 deaths on Tuesday

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

Ministry of Public Health reported on Tuesday (March 8) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 18,943 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 66 of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013146

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

[S Landreth]

Thailand - 22,073 new Covid cases, 69 more deaths

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

There were 69 more Covid-19 fatalities and 22,073 confirmed new cases during the previous 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry announced on Wednesday morning. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...69-more-deaths

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

• Covid warning, advice for pregnant women, those with newborns

Pregnant women and those in the postpartum period are more likely to be infected with Covid-19 as 87 per cent have not been vaccinated, the Department of Health warned on Tuesday.

Director-general Dr Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai said 224 Covid-19 patients from February 27 to March 5 were pregnant women and women six months after pregnancy.

There were a total of 7,210 patients in the infected group and 110 deaths. They gave birth to 4,013 children, 319 of whom were infected while 67 died.

Some 6,292 of them, or 87 per cent, were unvaccinated, he said, while 398, or 5 per cent, received only a first dose. Another 550, or just 8 per cent, got a second dose.

According to available information, the fatality rate decreases by 10 times for patients who have received two doses of vaccines.

In total, 117,385 pregnant women have received the first dose of vaccines while 105,094 have received a second dose. Some 17,361 have got a booster dose, Suwanchai said.

The Public Health Ministry aims to fully vaccinate 240,000 pregnant women.

Deputy director-general Dr Ekachai Piansriwatchara said infected pregnant women with mild or no symptoms can isolate at home.

They should not come into contact with anyone and be separated from elders and children. They need to have separate utensils, open their room windows for better ventilation and avoid sleeping with other family members in an air-conditioned room.

Ekachai advised isolated pregnant patients to monitor symptoms of vaginal bleeding and fluid leak as well as preeclampsia.

They must lie on their left side for better blood circulation and should not lie on their back if they are just about to give birth.

Infected pregnant women who have difficulty breathing, feel unusually tired, have pneumonia or have a tight chest or chest pain should go to hospital immediately.

Ekachai said infected pregnant patients do not have to undergo a caesarean section as it takes four to five hours to prepare for this. He advised normal childbirth except for special cases.

Infected women who have just given birth and have mild or no symptoms can hold their uninfected newborns, but they need to wear a mask and wash their hands regularly, he advised.

According to Ekachai, breast milk cannot be infected with Covid-19 so new mothers can go ahead and feed their newborns after cleaning their breasts using a cloth and warm water.

However, the doctor warned infected pregnant women not to use Favipiravir or Fah Talai Jone because this could affect their newborns. https://www.nationthailand.com/life/40013198

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

• Nakhon Si Thammarat to speed up vaccinations

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: Health authorities will speed up Covid-19 vaccinations to vulnerable groups for the safety of people during the upcoming Songkran festival.

Nakhon Si Thammarat deputy governor Trairat Chairat chaired a meeting with the provincial communicable disease committee on Wednesday to follow up on the Covid-19 outbreak in areas where the number of infections soared.

In February, the province recorded the lowest number of infections at 95 and the highest at 2,832. An average of 1,900 people tested positive a day after taking RT-PCR and antigen tests over the past week.

The number of infections was expected to reduce in April and May, according to the committee.

So far, 1,208,539 people, or 79.30% in the province, have received a first dose of Covid-19 vaccine; 1,126,943 people, or 72.73%, have received a second dose, and 324,745 people, or 20.96%, have had a booster shot.

Health workers had been speeding up the vaccination drive for elderly people in at-risk groups and those with underlying health conditions in a bid to boost their safety during the Songkran festival, said the deputy governor.

In Muang district, some 300 people tested positive for Covid-19 a day. The number of infected people in home isolation stood at 2,198. Nurses were sent to monitor their conditions and relief items were distributed to their homes.

People in the at-risk groups and children aged below 15 who developed a high fever, fatigue and hyperpnea are advised to alert officials at hotline 199. Vehicles would be sent to pick them up to hospitals.

Those who had no severe symptoms could contact authorities to receive treatment at community isolation (CI) centres. In Muang district, the IC centre at Thung Tha Lard meeting hall had 300 beds. Now, 69 beds were occupied.

The southern province reported five new Covid-19 deaths and 1,231 new infections in all 23 districts on Wednesday, with Muang district logging the highest cases at 418. The deaths were aged 70, 45, 26, 38 and 65. Most had underlying health conditions and received at least two doses of vaccine, said the panel.

Since January, Nakhon Si Thammarat reported 28,285 coronavirus infections and 32 fatalities. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...p-vaccinations

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Thailand records new highs for COVID-19 infections, deaths on Thursday

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

COVID-19 infections have soared to a new high of 72,478 cases today (Thursday), including 22,984 diagnosed using RT-PCR tests and 49,494 using rapid antigen tests. The daily death toll also rose to this year’s record high of 74, according to the COVID-19 Information Centre. https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailan...s-on-thursday/

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

• Over THB1.5 billion paid in compensation for Covid-19 vaccine side-effects

The National Health Security Office has so far paid Bt1.509 billion as compensation to 12,714 people who developed side-effects after they received Covid-19 vaccines.

The NHSO reported on Wednesday that from May 19, 2021 to March 8, 2022, a total of 15,933 people had filed complaints of negative reactions to Covid-19 vaccines.

The NHSO said 2,328 complaints were rejected after it ruled that the side-effects were not related to the vaccinations.

The NHSO added that 891 cases were pending consideration.

Of the rejected cases, 875 complainants are appealing against the earlier decision of the NHSO. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013210

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

• Chulalongkorn Hospital to cut OPD treatment by 50% due to surging Covid infections

Chulalongkorn Hospital announced it would cut outpatient treatment by 50 per cent because of the rising number of new Omicron infections.

The hospital issued a statement on Wednesday saying that from March 14 to April 12, it will cut by half its normal and off-office-hours capacity for treatment of outpatients.

The hospital reasoned that Omicron infections have intensified so it wanted to reduce crowding to minimise the virus spread.

During the period, the hospital said it will not accept new patients or walk-in patients who have no schedule to meet their doctors. And it will not accept new patients transferred from other hospitals either.

The hospital also said it would coordinate with current patients, who have schedules to meet doctors, as their visits may have to be rescheduled according to the situation.

The hospital added that emergency patients can still seek treatment at the emergency ward during the period. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013245

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Thailand - 24,792 new Covid cases, 63 more deaths

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

There were 63 more Covid-19 fatalities and 24,792 confirmed new cases during the previous 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry reported on Friday morning. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...63-more-deaths

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

• Nan Hospital instals ATK vending machines for public convenience

Nan Hospital on Friday unveiled its novel antigen test kit (ATK) vending machines for public use amid the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in Nan province.

The hospital director, Dr Achara Laongnaulpanich, said they decided to install the ATK vending machines so that visitors could test themselves before seeing patients.

The hospital’s goal is to offer visitors convenience in accessing ATKs and at the low price of 50 baht each. It is convenient and easy to use and even a small child can operate it, Achara said. The vending machine has a touch screen and users can insert banknotes to buy ATKs.

The ATK vending machines could reduce the risk for medical personnel at the hospital, as the machines can stock up to 600 ATKs per day. They were modified from normal vending machines and are receiving a lot of attention from visitors, as they could test themselves before entering the hospital or take the ATK home, the director said.

The vending machines have been installed at the front of Nan Hospital 1 and Nan Hospital 2 for use by the general public. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013284

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Thailand - 24,592 new Covid cases, 68 more deaths

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

Thailand registered 68 more Covid-19 fatalities and 24,592 new cases during the previous 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry announced on Saturday morning. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...68-more-deaths

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

• Thailand to expedite mailing of Favipiravir to COVID-19 patients, over 8,000 helped so far

The National Health Security Office (NHSO) and the Rajavithi hospital are speeding up the mailing out of anti-viral Favipiravir medicine to more than 3,500 COVID-19 patients in Bangkok and surrounding areas who are unable to access the home isolation program.

NHSO Secretary-General Dr. Jadet Thammathat-Aree explained yesterday (Thursday) that the main reason that this group of patients have been unable to get help from the NHSO so far is because its 1330 hotline system has been so overwhelmed with calls from patients that they cannot get through, and existing isolation facilities are full, causing another problem, which is a backlog of waiting patients who have already registered for isolation facilities.

After being made to wait for help for several days, he said that many registered patients have tried to contact the NHSO again via the hotlines and other channels, further overwhelming the system.

Dr. Jadet said that the NHSO has already increased the hotline lines and more people have been recruited to answer calls from the patients. They have also sought help from private call centres to ease the workload at the NHSO’s call centre, but still the hotline system is overwhelmed.

For the 3,500 plus patients who are waiting for help, he said that it would take about five days for the NHSO and Rajavithi Hospital to mail them the Favipiravir medicine, if their condition is not serious.

After having received and taken the medication, he recommends that patients stay home in isolation for about ten days.

Besides Favipiravir, the NHSO, in cooperation with the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine and the Army Region 1, have distributed more than 40,000 sets of Fah Talai Jone herbal tablets to more than 900 communities in Bangkok, for distribution to registered patients who are yet to get a response from the NHSO.

These patients, he said, can approach their community leaders or public health volunteers to receive the herbal medicine.

The Ministry of Public Health has distributed Favipiravir anti-rival medicine, Fah Talai Jone herbal medicine and other drugs to more than 8,000 COVID-19 patients in the four days since the launch on March 4th of the out-patient medical service program, known as “found, distribute, done”.

Besides state and medical college hospitals, which have been providing out-patient medical services to between 200-300 patients each per day, he said that hospitals in provinces around Bangkok have also been instructed to provide similar services, via their acute respiratory infection (ARI) clinics, to accommodate as many as 18,000 patients who are yet to get access to help via the NHSO’s hotline system.

Dr. Kiattibhoom said the out-patient service program has reduced the calls to the 1330 hotline system of the NHSO from about 70,000 to about 50,000. https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailan...d-19-patients/

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

• All beneficiaries of healthcare schemes eligible for free Covid-19 treatment

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed relevant state agencies to ensure that all Covid-19 patients get free treatment based on their rights once the so-called UCEP Plus scheme is implemented next Wednesday (March 16).

The UCEP Plus scheme, proposed by the Public Health Ministry, was endorsed by the Cabinet on Tuesday. Under UCEP or the Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients, Covid-19 cases in the “yellow” category or with moderate symptoms and those in the “red” category or critical condition are entitled to free treatment at any hospital.

Those in the “green” category or with mild or no symptoms will only get free treatment at hospitals under the jurisdiction of relative healthcare schemes, such as “gold card”, social security or scheme for public officials.

If the condition of patients in the green group worsens, then they can seek free treatment at the nearest hospitals under the UCEP Plus scheme.

All beneficiaries of healthcare schemes eligible for free Covid-19 treatment

Meanwhile, the Internal Security Operations Command has sent several volunteers to help the National Health Security Office (NHSO) deal with calls from new Covid-19 patients.

The NHSO’s 1330 hotline and Line chatroom are flooded daily with thousands of calls and messages from new Covid-19 patients wanting to register – the first step required for treatment or medical support during home or community isolation.

The NHSO has a huge backlog of registrations now that there has been a spike in infections. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013323

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Thailand - 23,584 new Covid cases, 66 more deaths

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

The country registered 23,584 more Covid-19 cases and 66 new fatalities during the previous 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry announced on Sunday morning. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...66-more-deaths

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

• Thai healthcare will buckle if Covid surge goes unchecked, warns expert

With infections from the highly transmissible Omicron variant surging in Thailand, steps should be taken to stop the crisis from getting out of hand as it has done in Europe, a medical expert warned on Saturday.

Assoc Prof Dr Thira Woratanarat, from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, said in a Facebook post that more than 455 million people across the world have contracted Covid-19 and over 6 million have succumbed to the virus.

The countries with the highest number of infections on Saturday were South Korea, Germany, Vietnam, the United Kingdom and France, he wrote. Of the top 10 countries with the highest number of infections, nine are in Europe and Asia, he pointed out.

The professor also noted that Asia, Europe and the Americas account for 96 per cent of global Covid cases and almost 98 per cent of total deaths.

Europe alone accounts for 47 per cent of total cases and 37 per cent of all casualties.

On Friday, Thailand was on the 12th rank worldwide and fourth in Asia for the number of new Covid-19 infections and held the 22nd spot in the world for Covid-related deaths.

The doctor warned that the Thai economy was not as strong as that of high-income European countries, so an outbreak of their magnitude would bring the Kingdom’s healthcare system to its knees.

“Our outbreak will worsen, given the currently high rate of infection,” he warned. “With fewer economic resources than the wealthy countries, the impact of the outbreak will be too tough to handle.” https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013322

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Thailand - 22,130 new Covid cases, 69 more deaths

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

There were 69 more Covid-19 fatalities and 22,130 confirmed new cases during the previous 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry reported on Monday morning. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...69-more-deaths

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

• Don't pour water on relatives' hands during Songkran, says govt

'Rod Nam Dam Hua' - pouring water on relatives' hands - is a traditional part of Songkran celebrations that should be avoided to keep senior citizens safe from coronavirus infections, the Public Health Ministry has recommended.

Medical Services Department director-general Somsak Akkasilp on Sunday advised people returning home during the forthcoming Thai New Year break to avoid the 'Rod Nam Dam Hua' ceremonial water-pouring on parents and other respected senior family members to reduce their risk of infection.

Well-wishers should stay about one metre away from their parents and elderly family members and 'krab' (bow to them) instead of getting closer to pour water onto their hands for the new year's blessing, the official said.

The country will have a five-day break during Songkran this year, running from Wednesday, April 13, through Sunday, April 17. People working away from home return to their provinces to celebrate the event with their families.

The government will not impose a lockdown to ban their travel. It will roll out a nationwide vaccination campaign to give 70% of 12 million senior citizens a third jab from March 21-31 to provide them better protection from the deadly virus.

So far, only 4 million people aged 60 or more - accounting for 32% of the total - have received a booster shot, according to ministry data on Saturday.

This sector of the population has suffered the most deaths from the pandemic. Sunday's Covid report showed 83% of the 66 deaths were senior citizens. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...kran-says-govt

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Thailand records 19,742 Covid-19 cases and 70 deaths on Tuesday

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

Ministry of Public Health reported on Tuesday (March 15) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 19,742 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 52 of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013387

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

• Molnupiravir more effective than Favipiravir for Covid patients: WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the use of antiviral Molnupiravir over Favipiravir in the treatment of Covid-19 patients, a respiratory specialist said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

Dr Manoon Leechawengwongs said WHO recommends using the Molnupiravir on patients who had been infected for less than five days. The antiviral is effective on patients who have mild symptoms but are at risk of developing severe symptoms and even dying from the virus.

The antiviral comes in 200mg capsules and patients are required to consume four capsules every 12 hours for five days. The pill can be prescribed to outpatients to ease the severity of symptoms and cut down on the death rate by 30 per cent.

A batch of Molnupiravir has arrived in Thailand and will be distributed to hospitals next week. Since the supply of this antiviral drug is limited, it will only be prescribed to high-risk patients such as the unvaccinated, the elderly, people with chronic diseases and those with low immunity.

Molnupiravir cannot be prescribed to pregnant or soon-to-be pregnant women, as well as those who are breastfeeding because the drug may affect young children adversely, Manoon said.

He also added that the drug may have unknown side effects like cancer, and the Covid-19 virus may develop a resistance to it and mutate. Hence, he said, long-term effects of the drug need to be studied further.

Manoon added that WHO has never advised people to use the antiviral drug Favipiravir because no studies are confirming it can significantly prevent the severity and fatality of Covid-19.

Once Thailand has sufficient supplies of Molnupiravir and Paxlovid, a new antiviral drug developed by Pfizer, the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) should stop manufacturing and importing Favipiravir, he said.

Last week, Medical Services chief Somsak Ankasil had said that enough Molnupiravir doses for 50,000 people had arrived in Thailand and once the labels are ready, the pills will be distributed among hospitals. He added that Paxlovid is scheduled to arrive in April. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013403

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

• Thailand records 23,945 Covid-19 cases and 70 deaths on Wednesday

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

Ministry of Public Health reported on Wednesday (March 16) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 23,945 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 48 of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013425

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

• Ministry readies 4-phase plan for Covid-19 pandemic to endemic transition

The Public Health Ministry will offer a proposal on transitioning Covid-19 from a pandemic to endemic at the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) meeting on Friday (March 18).

Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Monday that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is scheduled to preside over the meeting.

“According to the plan, the Public Health Ministry and related agencies will ease Covid-19 prevention measures in line with the situation so people can start leading normal lives,” he said.

Thanakorn explained that the Covid-19 transition plan will be divided into four phases:

• Phase 1 (March 12 to early April): This so-called “combatting” phase will focus on launching measures to contain the spread of the disease.

• Phase 2 (April to May): Called the “plateau” phase, it will focus on keeping the number of Covid-19 infections low.

• Phase 3 (end May to June 3): The so-called “declining” phase will focus on maintaining the number of new Covid-19 cases to below 2,000 daily.

• Phase 4 (from July onwards): Called the “post-pandemic” phase, it will focus on transitioning Covid-19 from a pandemic to endemic disease.

“The focus is still on vaccinating as many people as possible, especially the elderly and those with chronic diseases, to reduce deaths and provide treatment to vulnerable people effectively,” he added. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013368

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Thailand records 25,456 Covid-19 cases and 77 deaths on Thursday

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

Ministry of Public Health reported on Thursday (March 17) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 25,456 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 39 of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013467

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

• Patients with moderate or severe Covid symptoms can get free treatment under UCEP Plus

Covid-19 patients who develop moderate or severe symptoms can receive free treatment under the UCEP Plus scheme from Wednesday, Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit announced on Tuesday.

He said these patients can receive free treatment at government or private hospitals nationwide, while those with mild symptoms will be given free treatment depending on their rights, such as home isolation or outpatient care.

“Under outpatient care, physicians will prescribe Favipiravir, Fah Talai Jone or antipyretic, cough syrup or decongestant, according to the severity of the patients’ symptoms,” he explained.

Kiattiphum said the ministry is considering allowing Covid-19 patients to stay in hospital for seven days and observe their symptoms at home for three days instead of spending ten full days in hospital.

This would enable hospitals to provide effective treatment to patients and improve their quality of life, he said.

“The ministry is also considering whether to choose Molnupiravir over Favipiravir as Thailand can procure Molnupiravir from China and India at a reasonable price similar to Favipiravir,” he said, adding that Paxlovid would be delivered to the country soon.

According to the Department of Health Service Support, Covid-19 patients can be classified into three groups based on their symptoms:

• Mild symptoms: patients who have body temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius or above, lose their sense of taste and smell, have a cough, runny nose, sore throat, eye infection, rash and diarrhoea. Some of them may develop asymptomatic symptoms.

• Moderate symptoms: patients who have chest tightness, breathing difficulty, lung inflammation, diarrhoea (with more than three toilet trips a day), drowsiness and loss of appetite. Children, the elderly aged 60 or above, people with chronic diseases, pregnant women and people weighing over 90kg are in this group.

• Severe symptoms: patients who have asthma, impaired speech, chest pain, severe lung inflammation, shock, are in a coma, body temperature over 39 degrees Celsius for more than 24 hours and an oxygen saturation level below 94 per cent. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013445

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

• OIC announces new rules for Covid-19 insurance payments

The Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) has come out with guidelines on insurance payment for treatment of Covid-19 policyholders under home isolation (HI), community isolation (CI) or hotel isolation.

The OIC announcement came after a meeting with the Thai Life Assurance Association, Thai General Insurance Association, and the Private Hospital Association (Thailand).

OIC secretary-general Suttipol Taweechaikarn said on Wednesday that they came up with two new guidelines:

1. For treatment of policyholders under HI, CI and hotel isolation, the insurance company concerned has to pay the actual treatment fees for outpatients up to the coverage limit.
For inpatients, the company must pay a treatment fee up to the coverage limit or up to a maximum 12,000 baht.

For policyholders with both outpatient and inpatient coverage, the insurance firm is required to pay the actual treatment fee up to the outpatient coverage limit.

If the fee exceeds the outpatient coveage limit, the insurance company must pay a treatment fee up to the inpatient coverage limit or up to a maximum 12,000 baht.

2. For daily/income compensation for policyholders under HI, CI and hotel isolation, the insurance company is required to pay daily/income compensation for each patient who needs a RT-PCR test and has one of the risk factors which require hospital treatment but could not get a room at the hospital.

The risk factors are:

People aged over 60
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Other chronic lung diseases
Chronic kidney disease
Heart and artery diseases, and Congenital Heart Disease
Stroke
Uncontrolled diabetes
Obesity (weight over 90kg or with a BMI exceeding 30 kg/m2)
Liver cirrhosis
Weak immunity
Lymphocyte of fewer than 1,000 cells/μL.

The OIC will present these guidelines for enforcement under a registrar order and they will subsequently come into effect for two months. The OIC added that it would then monitor the situation periodically to adjust the guidelines. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013479

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Thailand - Record 27,071 new Covid cases, 80 more deaths

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

There were 80 more Covid-19 fatalities, the highest in the new wave, and a record high of 27,071 confirmed new cases during the previous 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry reported on Friday morning. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...80-more-deaths

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

• Dr Yong expects quarantine to be cut to 7 days

The quarantine period is likely to be reduced from 14 days to seven thanks to a decline in Omicron transmissions and the infection period, expert virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan wrote on his Facebook page on Wednesday.

He explained that Omicron transmissions had dropped as most people had received Covid-19 vaccine jabs.

Citing a study in Japan, he said the Omicron virus was often found in saliva in the throat or nasal cavity between the second and fifth days after infection, while the virus transmission period was around six to nine days.

However, he pointed out that transmission would be high during the first seven days, especially between the second and fifth days after infection.

“Hence, the quarantine period is likely to drop to seven days,” Yong wrote.

“After that, patients must strictly undergo measures to contain the spread of the virus, such as wearing a face mask outdoors, staying away from others and washing one’s hands regularly, for at least three days.”

Yong emphasised that everyone must coexist with Covid-19, so guidelines will be changed over time, while studies and research must be conducted in order to mitigate the impact on daily life. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013483

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

• Thailand - Medical department receives 2 million capsules of drug that can fight Covid

The Medical Services Department on Friday received 2 million capsules of Molnupiravir drug from a subsidiary of pharmaceutical company Merck.

The total quantity can provide 50,000 courses of Covid-19 treatment.

The MSD Thailand Co Ltd represented Merck & Co Inc to deliver the drug to Dr Somsak Akkasilp, director-general of the Medical Services Department.

Somas said the oral Covid-19 drug will be used to provide treatment to Covid-19 patients with mild or moderate symptoms and they will be used for risk groups, such as the elderly and people with seven types of comorbidities.

“We’re glad that we received 2 million capsules of Molnupiravir, equivalent to 50,000 treatment courses, from MSD Thailand today,” Somsak said at a ceremony to receive the drug.

He said his department had negotiated and signed a contract with MSD Thailand to buy the drug in November after a previous briefing about the progress of the clinical trial of the medicine.

“At first, we will use the drug for groups of people who are at least 60 years old or who have seven comorbidities. But we may consider administering the drug to people who are at least 18 years old in the future when we have enough of it,” Somsak added.

He said his department would draft guidelines for distribution and administering of the drug in detail before sending it to hospitals next week.

Dr Mary Srethapakdi, managing director of MSD Thailand, said her company was very glad to deliver the drug to the Medical Services Department.

She said her parent company has been working hard against time to research and make the drug that can fight the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

“We would like to thank the Medical Services Department and medical specialists of several branches for exchanging medical information on Covid-19 patient treatments and on medicine for treating the patients,” Mary said.

“We are proud that we have become a part of helping Thais fight Covid-19 for taking part in the preparations for Thailand to exit pandemic status and enter endemic status.”

The Medical Services Department has assigned the Zuellig Pharma Co Ltd to manage the distribution of the 2 million capsules of the drug in accordance with the policy of the department.

Each patient will be given four capsules of Molnupiravir two times a day for five consecutive days to get the full course of 40 capsules.

The medicine can prevent infected persons from developing serious conditions or prevent their hospitalisation if they receive the drug within five days after they have the first symptom or after they test positive. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013536

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

• Baiya Phytopharm’s Covid-19 vaccine ready for human trials

Baiya Phytopharm is accepting volunteers for the first human trial of its Baiya SARS CoV-2 Vax 2 Covid-19 vaccine.

To be eligible, people should be between the ages of 18 and 64, healthy and should not have received any Covid-19 vaccines.

Those interested can register via https://baiya-recruit.clinsearch.co.th/register until the quota is full.

The list of eligible registrants will be announced on March 25 and each suitable registrant will be contacted by officials.

The vaccines will be administered at the Thai Red Cross Society's Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute in Bangkok's Pathumwan district between March and April.

Baiya is one of four Covid-19 vaccines being developed in Thailand. The others are Chulalongkorn University’s ChulaCov19, the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation’s HXP-GPO Vac and Biotech’s nasal-spray vaccine. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013531

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Thailand - 25,804 new Covid cases, 87 more deaths

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

The country registered 25,804 more Covid-19 cases and 87 new fatalities, the highest in the fifth and current wave, during the previous 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry announced on Saturday morning. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...87-more-deaths

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

• Nation 'ready' for Deltacron

The public health minister says Thailand is prepared to deal with any new variant of the coronavirus including the newly emerged Deltacron that is now being closely watched by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Anutin Charnvirakul, deputy prime minister and public health minister, said his ministry has prepared the necessary medical tools, vaccines and drugs to ensure it can fight the virus no matter how it may mutate.

Mr Anutin said he believed the government's Covid-19 preventive measures -- social distancing, mask-wearing, hand washing and so on -- are still effective.

"We are not worried about any new strains as long as our people have strictly followed the ministry's guidelines and have not lowered their guard in preventing infection," he said.

Deltacron was first reported earlier this year when it was thought to be a co-infection of the Omicron and Delta variants. On Wednesday, the WHO started tracking Deltacron, but has yet to designate it as a variant of concern -- nor has it officially named it.

Researchers believe it is a single, hybrid variant that combines genes from Delta and Omicron.

The minister made his comments during the Thailand International Health EXPO 2022 organised by the Department of Health Service Support, which he presided over on Thursday.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, delivered a speech virtually at the event that included a nod to Thailand's successful management of the pandemic.

Mr Tedros said the WHO continues its strong support for vaccine distribution to poor countries, especially those in Africa.

He confirmed the WHO's goal of having at least 70% of the population in all countries vaccinated. "By achieving this goal, we could end the game faster," he said.

Mr Tedros said that technology transfers for vaccine production are still needed. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...-for-deltacron

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

• CCSA creates roadmap to shifting Covid-19 from pandemic to endemic

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Friday came up with a roadmap for declaring Covid-19 an endemic disease.

The initial aim is to ensure:

Easy, efficient public access to treatment with fatality rate lower than 0.1 per cent
More than 60 per cent of the population given booster shots
Building public awareness on handling and adapting Covid-19 from pandemic to endemic safely
The measures will be further separated into four aspects, namely:

Public Health

Hastening the administration of booster shots
Changing the monitoring system so it focuses on Covid-19 clusters and pneumonitis patients
Easing prevention measures for tourists
Changing measures for isolation and quarantining of people
Medical

Changing treatment guidelines for outpatients
Treating patients with severe symptoms or those at risk of developing severe symptoms including long Covid
Legal and Society

Managing the legal aspects for every organisation in the post-pandemic era
Easing social measures that control travel and large gatherings
Getting every sector to support Universal Prevention and Covid-free Setting
Communication and public relations

Building knowledge and understanding for every sector and changing people’s behaviour so they can live with Covid-19 safely
Making proactive, comprehensive information available to build public understanding and cooperation

Operation timeline

Combatting (level 4): March 12 to early April
Plateau (level 3): April to May
Decline (level 2): End of May to June
Post-pandemic (level 1): July 1 onwards https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013567

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Thailand records 24,996 Covid-19 cases and 84 deaths on Sunday

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

Public Health Ministry reported on Sunday (March 20) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 24,996 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 31 of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013585

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

• Thailand hopes to have 70% of population jabbed with Covid-19 booster soon

Thailand is aiming to administer Covid-19 booster shots to more than 70 per cent of the population before the virus can be declared endemic, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Public Health Ministry is accelerating its vaccine rollout for the elderly across the country to protect them from the virus ahead of the Songkran festival in mid-April.

Thanakorn said booster shots are necessary if people want to coexist safely with Covid-19. Not many people in Thailand have taken booster shots.

He said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has expressed concern for the elderly, children and those with chronic conditions who can develop severe symptoms if infected.

Prayut has suggested that village health volunteers across the country find a way of actively encouraging local residents, particularly those at high risk, to get booster shots so the 70-per-cent target can be met, Thanakorn said.

More than 126.9 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered from February 2021 to March 17, and of those, 20.2 million were booster shots.

Of the total doses administered, 54.7 million were first shots, 50 million second shots and 1.9 million fourth shots.

Since January 1, Thailand has recorded 1,079,734 cumulative Covid cases and 2,377 deaths.

Separately, the Public Health Minister will kick off its project to deliver booster shots to the elderly and other high-risk individuals from March 21 to 31 in a bid to prevent a possible outbreak after Songkran.

Millions of people are expected to head to their hometowns during the April 13-17 holiday to visit their elderly relatives – an exodus that sparked a severe outbreak during the same period last year.

In a related development, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is also launching a vaccination rollout for the elderly from March 21-31. Those interested in getting a Covid-19 jab can contact the closest public health centre or any of the 11 BMA-run hospitals in the city or make a reservation via the QueQ mobile application. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013574

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Thailand - 23,441 new Covid cases, 88 more deaths

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

There were 88 more Covid-19 fatalities, a new high in the latest wave, and 23,441 confirmed new cases during the previous 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry announced on Monday. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...88-more-deaths

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

• DDC says it will stand by favipiravir

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) insisted on Saturday the antiviral medication favipiravir has shown high efficacy in treating patients infected with Covid-19, adding the drug is available for bulk purchase and costs only 800 baht per treatment.

Favipiravir's effectiveness has been assessed by Siriraj Hospital's Faculty of Medicine during the two-year Covid-19 pandemic in Thailand, said Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the DDC. Its efficacy should not be devalued, he said.

The drug has been administered to more than a million people and proved effective in 79% of cases, with patients recovering from an infection in four days. In a control group of patients who did not take the drug, only 32.3% attained a similar recovery, he said.

He was responding to critics of favipiravir including activist Srisuwan Janya, secretary-general of the Association for the Protection of the Thai Constitution. He on Friday petitioned the Administrative Court against Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and some other executives at the ministry over their decision to continue using favipiravir as the main treatment for Covid-19 patients.

The ministry is set to buy 254 million favipiravir pills in August-September and 300 million pills during October-December, at a total cost of 6 billion baht despite its maker having been ordered not to tout its efficacy against Omicron.

Dr Manus Potaporn, deputy director-general of Department of Medical Services, said part of the systematic study and review process regarding favipiravir has been developing formal guidelines for its proper use.

Other medications for Covid-19 treatment, namely remdesivir, molnupiravir and paxlovid, have been studied and reviewed in the same manner, Dr Manus said.

He said that each of these Covid-19 treatments has its own advantages and disadvantages.

However, he noted, "Molnupiravir and paxlovid are both new drugs which ... cost up to 10,000 baht per treatment course."

As for favipiravir, in addition to its treatment efficacy the drug's safety also has been verified in many countries around the world, Dr Manus said.

In Thailand, 52% of all Covid-19-infected patients displaying some symptoms are not in fact given any antiviral drugs, he said.

They instead receive treatments for relieving symptoms, while 26% of patients are given favipiravir and another 24% the herbal medication green chiretta (known in Thai as fa talai chon).

Another benefit of favipiravir, said Dr Opas of the DDC, is absence of strong side effects and its suitability for pregnant patients.

He said plans are to begin administering favipiravir to pregnant women from the second quarter of this year.

More importantly, he said, the drug is usually available for purchase in high quantities while costing only 800 baht per course, far lower than any other medications with similar treatment efficacy such as remdesivir, molnupiravir and paxlovid.

Remesivir costs 1,512 baht per treatment course while molnupiravir and paxlovid each cost 10,000 baht per treatment course, he said. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...by-favipiravir

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Thailand records 21,382 Covid-19 cases and 83 deaths on Tuesday

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

Ministry of Public Health reported on Tuesday (March 22) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 21,382 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 58 of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013652

Nature's way of thinning out the weary herd.

• Covid infections soar in Hua Hin

Local transmission of Covid-19 has soared in Hua Hin, while most other districts in Prachuap Khiri Khan province are reporting fewer cases.

The resort district registered 272 confirmed new cases on Sunday, a jump from only 44 on Saturday. The district of Thap Sakae also reported a sharp rise, from only one on Saturday to 25.

Sunday's figures were reported by the provincial public health office on Monday.

The office did not explain the reason for the sudden rise in new cases in the two districts, saying only that the province had two main clusters over the past two weeks - in a military camp in tambon Nong Kae of Hua Hin and a sawmill in tambon Thap Sakae.

Hua Hin is a popular destination for local and foreign tourists visiting Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The province had 7 million tourists in 2019 before dropping to only 4 million in 2020 after the pandemic arrived and 2.6 million last year. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...oar-in-hua-hin

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

• Songkran boost for seniors

The Ministry of Public Health is aiming to administer a third booster shot to 70% of the country's elderly population ahead of the Thai New Year holiday next month, as they face a greater risk of infection and death from the coronavirus.

Wicharn Pawan, director of the general communicable diseases division under the Department of Disease Control (DDC), said Covid-19 infections and deaths sharply increased after last year's Songkran festival due to the limited vaccine rollout at the time.

"The ministry won't be taking any chances this year and will speed up the rollout of booster shots for the elderly before the holiday exodus begins," he said.

Dr Wicharn said seniors should get a third jab as it will help lessen the severity of symptoms and reduce the risk of death by 41 times.

Public health offices at the provincial level have been told to proactively check their residents' vaccination status and offer all senior citizens under their jurisdiction a third booster shot, he said.

Other state agencies and the private sector will also be asked to mobilise their resources to help the government achieve the target, he added.

"Elderly citizens who are due for a booster shot should get them before Songkran. About three million doses have been prepared for this age group," he said.

Dr Wicharn also urged people who plan to visit their families in the provinces to get boosters as well, in addition to avoiding any risky activities one week before travel.

Currently, about 10.5 million people aged over 60 have received their first shot of Covid vaccine, of which 10 million have received their second dose.

About 4.2 million people have received a booster shot, according to department figures.

Chawetsan Namwat, director of the Emergency Health Hazard and Disease Control Division under the DDC, on Monday shared the findings of a study carried out by Chiang Mai University's Faculty of Public Health, which showed a third shot offered 68% more protection against the Omicron variant than a two-dose regime, while a fourth shot offered 82% more protection.

"Two shots could prevent death, but do we still need a booster shot? I have to say [a third shot] is necessary because it increases protection against infection," he said.

"Early protection can significantly reduce the risk of death."

Somsak Akksilp, director-general of the Department of Medical Services (DMS), said the cabinet is expected to discuss the planned procurement of the antiviral medication Paxlovid, a nirmatrelvir/ritonavir combination developed by Pfizer.

He said if the procurement plan is approved, a contract is expected to be signed on March 24 and according to the manufacturer, enough doses for 50,000 treatment courses can be delivered in a week.

Meanwhile, Dr Wicharn said the ministry's immunisation panel has recently updated its guidelines for booster shots for people aged 18 and over.

They are now recommended to get their third shot three months after receiving their second dose, regardless of the type of the vaccine they had, he said.

Meanwhile, the ministry is now recommending a fourth booster shot four months after the third jab.

Under the new guideline, individuals who opt to receive the Pfizer vaccine as a booster shot can choose to receive half a dose under a doctor's advice.

Those aged 12-17 are urged to get a full dose of an mRNA vaccine as their third shot, which should be administered four to six months after the second shot.

This recommendation is in line with World Health Organization and the Royal College of Paediatricians of Thailand.

For former Covid-19 patients, they are now recommended to get a vaccine three months after recovering from their infection. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...st-for-seniors

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.