How Covid-19 Might Spread to You

[S Landreth]

48 new Covid-19 cases reported, most in quarantine facilities and Bangkok

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration on Tuesday reported 48 new cases. 21 of them overseas travellers in quarantine facilities.

Of the 22 people exposed to the disease while visiting high-risk areas, 14 were in Bangkok, six in Samut Sakhon, and two in Nakhon Pathom.

Meanwhile, proactive testing led to the discovery of five cases --- three in Bangkok and two in Samut Sakhon.Of the infected overseas travellers, 16 were Thais, a Filipino, a Nepali, a Belgian, an Indian and a Russian.

Meanwhile, 66 patients have recovered and been discharged.

As of Tuesday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 28,821. Of these, 25,742 had been contracted locally, including 16,057 who were found via proactive testing, while 3,070 were returnees. So far, 27,379 have recovered and been discharged, 1,348 patients are still in hospitals, and 94 have died.: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404297

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Thailand loses 1.45m tourism jobs from pandemic

Thailand has lost about 1.45 million tourism jobs during the coronavirus pandemic, including 400,000 in the first quarter, a private tourism group said on Monday, as the country gets ready to reopen to visitors to try to rescue the struggling sector.

Tourism is a key driver of Thailand's growth, typically accounting for 11-12% of gross domestic product. The group says there were 4.5 million tourism jobs before the pandemic, from a workforce of about 38 million people.

The country could see 3 million foreign tourist arrivals this year under plans to waive quarantine for visitors vaccinated against Covid-19 in some parts of the country later this year, Vichit Prakobgoson, vice-president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, told a briefing.

From July, inoculated tourists will be allowed to visit Phuket without the mandatory two-week quarantine, and from October Pattaya, Koh Samui, Chiang Mai, Phang Nga and Krabi.

The projection is in line with the central bank's estimate but far below the 6.5 million tourists projected by the government's Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

"The TAT's target this year definitely won't be met. From our work plans, there should be 3 million," Vichit said.

"But if Bangkok is included in the reopening, it's possible to have 6 million people," he added.

Thailand's strict entry requirements have helped keep coronavirus infections relatively low, but have devastated tourism.

Last year, there were only 6.7 million foreign tourists, down from nearly 40 million in 2019 who spent 1.91 trillion baht.

Mr Vichit projected spending by foreign tourists would be 156 billion baht this year.

For Phuket alone, the group expects two million foreign visitors to spend 105 billion baht between July and December, he said.

The tourism council had urged the government to start travel bubbles from April with other countries and to issue clear guidelines for "vaccine passports" to attract more travellers, he said.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business...-from-pandemic

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Thailand loses 1.45m tourism jobs from pandemic

that's a lot of people

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Covid outbreak at another Bangkok market

Covid-19 spread from two vendors who worked at a wet market in Saphan Sung district to five family members early this month.

Apisamai Srirangson, assistant spokesperson for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, said on Monday that the disease was first confirmed in a male meat vendor, 39, at the market. The native of Klong Sam Wa district sourced meat in nearby Pathum Thani province.

According to Dr Apisamai who did not name the market, the vendor started developing symptoms on March 11 and his test came back positive on March 18.

He transmitted the disease to his 37-year-old wife who is also a meat vendor in Saphan Sung. The wife tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday and was asymptomatic.

Seven family members who were at risk still tested negative.

Another case in Saphan Sung is a woman, 57, who sold lottery tickets near the meat vendor. She had symptoms on March 17 and tested positive on March 22, Dr Apisamai said.

She transmitted the disease to four family members including a child, 35, who is also a lottery vendor, an elder sister, 72, who is another lottery vendor in Rom Klao area, her 89-year-old mother, and a four-year-old great grandchild who is a kindergartener. The immediate relatives tested positive for Covid-19 on March 23.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...bangkok-market

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Thailand - 42 new Covid-19 cases

The government on Wednesday reported 42 new Covid-19 cases, 24 local infections and 18 imported cases, raising the total to 28,863.

Apisamai Srirangson, assistant spokeswoman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, said 19 new local cases were found at hospitals and five others detected in communities.

Samut Sakhon logged 11 new cases, eight found at hospitals (six Myanmar people and two Thais) and three detected in communities (two Myanmar, one Thai).

Bangkok recorded 10 new cases, one Lao and one Myanmar in communities, and eight cases confirmed at hospitals (seven Thai, one Myanmar).

Samut Prakan reported three new cases at hospitals, all Thai.

New cases in the three provinces included three children, aged four, 12 and 14, who were infected by family members who went out to work and were unaware they were already infected, Dr Apisamai said.

The 18 imported cases were arrivals from the United Kingdom, Pakistan, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Qatar, the United States, Ethiopia, Canada, Turkey, Sudan, Seychelles, South Sudan, Myanmar and the Philippines.

Cases from Myanmar were two Thai women, aged 22 and 34, arrested after illegally crossing back into Mae Sot district of Tak along a natural path.

Of the 28,863 total cases, 27,426 (95%) had recovered, including 47 discharged on Tuesday, and 1,343 were at hospitals. Six patients were dependent on ventilators. The death toll was unchanged at 94.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...covid-19-cases

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Careless quarantine cook set off new Covid cluster

Failure to follow Covid-19 controls by a cook at an alternative quarantine facility in Bangkok led to a new virus cluster forming in Samut Prakan province, according to health officials.

Apisamai Srirangson, assistant spokeswoman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, said on Wednesday that the first case in the new cluster was a 28-year-old woman, a cook in the catering department of a hotel operating as an alternative state quarantine facility in Bangkok. She did not identify the hotel.

The woman tested positive for Covid-19 on March 22.

On March 17 she had lost her senses of smell and taste, and became feverish.

A woman colleague, 25, tested positive on March 23. She passed the virus to her 19-month-old son and to a younger sister, who worked on the administrative staff of a school in Samut Prakan.

The cook also gave Covid-19 to her husband, 24, who is a delivery truck driver, and three other women, colleagues aged 30, 35 and 64 years working in the catering and reception sections of the same hotel.

The 64-year-old woman infected another woman, 24, who worked in the catering department of another hotel in Bangkok. This hotel was also not identified.

The infected cook served meals to and collected rubbish from people in quarantine at the hotel she worked in. Sometimes, she did not wear gloves at work, and failed to wash her hands after work.

Most of people in the infected cluster had symptoms of a fever, coughing, runny nose, sore throat and headache. The toddler and the 35-year-old woman were asymptomatic, the spokeswoman said.

According to Facebook page of the Covid-19 Information Centre on Wednesday, nine people had so far been diagnosed as being in the cluster.

Dr Apisamai said that two days after being infected with the Covid-19 virus a person could start passing it to people close to them,

Officials were considering giving Covid-19 vaccinations for at-risk people working at quarantine facilities, she said.

Dr Apisamai also said that Covid-19 infection among illegal migrants detained in Bang Khen had spread to three police officers and other workers at the Bang Khen immigration detention facility.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...-covid-cluster

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

11 more COVID-19 cases in Samut Sakhon, total now 17,272 since December 17^th

Thailand’s coastal province of Samut Sakhon recorded 11 new COVID-19 cases as of midnight Tuesday, raising total infections in the province, since December 17th, to 17,272, according to the provincial health office.

The new cases include a Thai and 2 migrant workers, whose infections were discovered during community proactive screening. Additionally, 2 Thais and 6 migrant workers, among those under observation and treatment in hospitals, were also found to be infected.

Of all 17,272 cases, 13,933 were detected during proactive screening exercises and include 1,460 Thais, with the remainder being migrant workers, mostly from Myanmar. 3,339 cases were detected in hospitals, including 1,742 Thais. Total recoveries are 17,155 with 10 fatalities.

Currently, 107 are undergoing treatment, including 61 in hospitals and the rest in quarantine facilities.

237,244 Thais and migrant workers in the province have been tested, since the wave of infections broke out at the central shrimp market on December 17th.

Samut Sakhon has seen the most infections of all the provinces in Thailand, due to the high concentration of Myanmar migrant workers living together in crammed dormitories and working in factories.: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/11-more...december-17th/

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Uttar Pradesh with a population of 120million has been handing out Ivermectin for treatment of Covid

Was with a few cowboys Wednesday morning. They had told me stories about the use of “Ivermectin” (FDA-approved for use in animals for prevention of heartworm disease in some small animal species, and for treatment of certain internal and external parasites in various animal species).

One guy said he was using it once every two weeks. He would mix a measured amount in his morning coffee. They knew of one person who died and another who overdosed on it (dead also). However there were some good stories with some people who took the drug (purchased from a vet).

This morning two of the guys told me they received a call from a ranch close by asking them if they wanted a shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. They went right over and got their shots.

https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinar...imate%20source

• Coronavirus Cases: 126,382,418

Deaths: 2,771,414

Underreported US death count: 559,954

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

it's been blown way out of proportion.

[S Landreth]

Thailand - New app lets people book Covid shots

The Ministry of Public Health will next month be launching "Mor Prom," a phone app that lets people book their Covid-19 vaccines.

"I would like all Thai people to download the application to reserve their Covid-19 vaccination," Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit, the minpistry's permanent secretary, said on Thursday.

"We need to create herd immunity to prevent another outbreak and revive our economy. To do so, we do need to get the vaccine to at least half of our population."

The app, expected to launch on May 1, allows users to book their free jabs at designated state hospitals and public health stations, from June.

It also includes a feature that enables post-vaccination monitoring to check for side effects.

Those registered with Mor Prom in June will be allocated up to five million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine produced locally by Siam Bioscience, its authorised local manufacturer. The company plans to produce more in the months to come.

Each hospital in the government's scheme is expected to administer 500 doses per day, or 10 million doses per month, according to Dr Kiattiphum. The Public Health Ministry will also be setting up mobile vaccine units to reach people in remote areas.

By the end of this year, Dr Kiattiphum said the ministry planned to administer 61 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines and two million doses of Sinovac's.

As most vaccines require two doses for immunisation, the 61 million doses the government procured earlier this year covers roughly 30 million people and prioritises those considered most vulnerable.

Pongsadhorn Pokpermdee, senior advisor to the Ministry of Public Health, said the ministry was developing alternative channels for those without access to advanced mobile phone technology so they could also register for the state vaccination programme.

A recent survey found that 80% of people living in Bangkok use phone apps as their main means of communication, a number that falls to 50% for people outside the capital.

Mr Pongsadhorn said people could get their jabs at any hospital they already have a record of having been treated, or any hospital with social security contract.

People given their two shots will automatically be issued a digital vaccine certificate by the Mor Prom app and this can later be used to apply for an International Travel Health Certificate in any hospital.

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

58 new Covid-19 cases

The government on Friday reported 58 new Covid-19 cases, 45 local infections and 13 imported, raising the total to 28,947.

Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, said 42 new cases were confirmed at hospitals and the three others through mass testing. Two cases were traced to entertainment venues.

Bangkok logged 20 new cases, 44% of the daily increment. Nineteen were Thais, detected at hospitals, and a Myanmar national, through active case finding.

One Bangkok infection, confirmed at Ramathibodi Hospital, is a student at Mahidol University Salaya campus who had visited a crowded entertainment place in Nakhon Pathom province, Dr Taweesilp said.

Samut Sakhon province reported 14 new cases, found at local hospitals - eight Myanmar, six Thai.

Samut Prakan recorded five new cases, all Thais - three at hospitals, two in communities.

Tests at hospitals also found three new cases in Nonthaburi (two Thai, one Myanmar), and two Myanmar cases in Tak. A Thai woman, 29, was found infected in Loei, and it was traced to an entertainment place in Bangkok.

"Two new cases were linked to entertainment places. This concerns us," Dr Taweesilp said.

The 13 imported cases were quarantined arrivals from the United States (7), India (2), Finland (1), the United Arab Emirates (1), Belgium (1) and Madagascar (1).

"The two-digit daily increment tells us that surveillance remains necessary," he said.

Of the 28,947 total cases, 27,606 (95%) had recovered, including 58 discharged on Thursday, and 1,247 were at hospitals. Fourteen patients were in critical condition, he said. The death toll was unchanged at 94.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...covid-19-cases

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Thailand records 84 new COVID-19 cases and one more death on Saturday

Thailand recorded one more death from COVID-19 and 84 new infections today (Saturday), including 32 cases in Bangkok, according to the CCSA.

The latest fatality was a 29-year old woman living in Bangkok who suffered from cardiomegaly (enlarged heart), valvular disease and Down’s syndrome. Both of her parents were infected with coronavirus.

The victim, whose identity was kept confidential, had a cough, runny nose, fever and breathing difficulties on March 21st. She went for a test on the same day, but the result was negative. Her condition deteriorated and she was admitted to hospital on April 1st where a second test confirmed her infection with the virus.

Of the new COVID-19 cases recorded today, 15 are travellers from abroad in state quarantine and 69 are locally-acquired infections, which include 58 cases among those under observation and treatment and 11 cases found during proactive screening.

Of the locally-acquired infections, 32 are in Bangkok, 12 in Samut Sakhon, 9 in Suphan Buri, 4 each in Samut Prakan and Nonthaburi, 5 in Nakhon Pathom and 1 each in Narathiwat, Chon Buri and Tak.

The 15 imported cases include 3 each from Malaysia and China, 2 from Bahrain and 1 each from France, India, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Switzerland, Bangladesh and Czech Republic.

Cumulative infections, since early last year, are 29,031, with 27,668 recoveries. 1,268 others are still being treated in hospitals.: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailan...h-on-saturday/

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[S Landreth]

Thailand - Co-payment stimulus scheme has ended with ฿102bn spending in six months

Thailand’s Finance Ministry announced the end of the two phases of the populist co-payment scheme on March 31st, with total spending amounting to 102.065 billion baht, 52.2 billion by consumers and 49.8 billion borne by the taxpayer.

Kulaya Tantitemit, director of the Fiscal Policy Office and spokesperson for the Finance Ministry, said Thursday that 14,793,602 registered consumers had taken advantage of the scheme, with 92% of them having spent over 3,000 baht each. 7,819,925 spent up to their 3,500 baht limit.

The highest spenders were in Bangkok, Chon Buri, Samut Prakan, Songkhla and Chiang Mai respectively. The spending helped to support domestic consumption, hard hit by various factors related to COVID-19, in Q4 2020 and Q1 2021.

Hailing the stimulus measure as a huge success, Kulaya said, however, that 85 cases of irregularities were identified among consumers and shops taking part in the scheme, adding that these people and businesses will be barred from participating in future such stimulus schemes.: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/co-paym...in-six-months/

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[ShaunSheep]

[SIZE=14px]

Kulaya Tantitemit, director of the Fiscal Policy Office and spokesperson for the Finance Ministry,

Nominative determinism.....she is tight-fisted.

[S Landreth]

96 new COVID-19 cases recorded in Thailand on Sunday

Thailand recorded 96 new COVID-19 cases today (Sunday), including 87 locally-acquired infections and 9 cases among those who arrived from abroad and are in state quarantine.

Of the locally-acquired infections, 78 are those under observation and treatment and 9 were found during proactive screening in communities.

Bangkok recorded the highest number of new cases with 35, followed by 13 in Samut Sakhon, 9 in Samut Prakan, 7 in Chon Buri, 6 in Surat Thani, 5 in Suphan Buri, 3 in Nakhon Pathom, 2 each in Khon Kaen, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani and 1 case each in Narathiwat and Ayutthaya.

The 9 imported cases include 2 each from Russia and Malaysia and 1 each from Ukraine, India, Japan, Sweden and Qatar.

The CCSA said that today’s total does not include the 112 cases found among prisoners and prison officials in the southern province of Narathiwat.

Cumulative infections, since early last year, are 29,127, with 27,774 recoveries and 95 deaths.: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/96-new-...and-on-sunday/

Perhaps a blessing in disguise for the Golden Land.

[scat2]

Thailand. Still #4 on the worldwide rankings.