Covid-19 News & Updates

[PeteC]

This could be a big deal, and if the numbers start going up rapidly like this we could be in for new restrictions. I'll update with the complete story once it's published.

Covid rebounds with 401 new cases, 1 death Tuesday

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... th-tuesday

The government reported a sharp uptick in cases of Covid-19 in Thailand on Tuesday, with 401 new cases – including 337 found in community testing – taking the accumulated total to 28,277.

An additional fatality raised the death toll to 92.

Hospitals across the nation reported 46 new cases.

-- More to follow --

Comment: They need to get their fingers out of their collective arses concerning vaccinations!

[HHTel]

And it's been said in another thread that vaccines are not the be all and end all in Thailand because the authorities have controlled the spread so well. Which allows them to wait until the rest of the world have been vaccinated and they can enjoy the drop in vaccine prices.

Meanwhile, it's starting to get out of control. Vaccination has already, in a short time, proven to have reduced infections, hospitalisations and deaths.

Not looking good.

[PeteC]

^ ^ ....the complete story from the above.

The government reported a sharp uptick in cases of Covid-19 in Thailand on Tuesday, with 401 new cases – including 337 found in community testing – taking the accumulated total to 28,277.

Hospitals across the nation reported 46 new cases, while another 18 were quarantined arrivals.

An additional fatality raised the death toll to 92.

The Department of Disease Control said the new death was a male Bangkok native, 75, who had suffered from hypertension, Alzheimer's and heart valve regurgitation.

He had a fever and sore throat on March 14 and tested positive for Covid-19 the same day.

On the following day his condition deteriorated. He was pronounced dead last Friday.

Over the past 24 hours, 337 new local cases were confirmed through active case-finding and 46 others were found at hospitals.

The vast majority of the 337 new cases diagnosed through mass testing – 318 – were at the immigration police detention facility in Bangkok’s Bang Khen district. Five other community cases were detected in Bangkok, twelve in Samut Sakhon province and two in Nakhon Pathom.

Testing at hospitals confirmed 29 new cases in Bangkok, nine in Nakhon Pathom, five in Samut Sakhon and one each in Khon Kaen, Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi.

Overall, Bangkok logged 92% of the daily increment in domestic transmissions.

The past 24 hours also saw 18 imported cases, quarantined arrivals from the United Kingdom (2), Greece (1), Belgium (1), the Netherlands (1), the United Arab Emirates (1), Pakistan (1), Croatia (1), Syria (1), Myanmar (1), Qatar (4), Ethiopia (1), Malaysia (2) and Tunisia (1).

Of the 28,277 accumulated Covid-19 cases, 26,766 (94.66%) have recovered – including 103 discharged over the past 24 hours – leaving 1,419 at hospitals.

Global Covid-19 cases rose by 405,372 in 24 hours to 124.29 million. The worldwide death toll went up 7,021 to 2.73 million. The United States had the most cases at 30.58 million, up 45,748, and the most deaths at 555,945, up 636.

Supplemental report: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... -for-covid

[caller]

This is worrying, from this mornings BP -

In response, the two centres stopped accepting new detainees. Initially, a 120-bed field hospital was set up at the Royal Thai Police Sports Club on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road. As of yesterday, hospital capacity had doubled to 300 beds. But authorities did not provide updated infection cases.

Full article:

RELIEF HOPES DASHED AGAIN

Back in mid-December last year, as Thais largely adapted to and enjoyed the "new normal", under the impression that Covid-19 had been placed under control, they were shocked with reports of a new outbreak in Samut Sakhon.

No one could have blamed them for their optimism, since all the figures regarding infection cases released by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) seemed favourable.

From one case, a woman, infections rose sharply, and Samut Sakhon, a tiny province where several thousand migrant workers work in the seafood industry, went into tight lockdown, followed by surrounding provinces including Bangkok, cascading like a domino effect. The government then conducted a crackdown on the labour-smuggling network, as the infection cluster was blamed on migrant workers.

Shortly before that, a dozen Thai workers who had returned from Myanmar's Tachilek, a Covid-19 hotspot, were found to have the virus.

Even this month, city areas close to Samut Sakhon like Bang Khun Thian and Bang Bon were still struggling with the virus threat.

However, this week, the country was reminded of the Samut Sakhon phenomenon again, with massive infections found among migrants at the Immigration Bureau's detention centres in Suan Phlu and Bang Khen.

On Saturday, it was reported that 297 migrant detainees tested positive for Covid-19. The following day, the number rose to nearly 400.

According to CCSA assistant spokeswoman Apisamai Srirangson, of tests conducted on 1,888 immigrants from March 11 until Saturday, 98 were positive. As of Tuesday, the accumulative number was nearly 400.

There are 1,615 immigration detainees at the detention centres, with Myanmar, the majority, followed by Vietnamese and Cambodian nationals.

In response, the two centres stopped accepting new detainees. Initially, a 120-bed field hospital was set up at the Royal Thai Police Sports Club on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road. As of yesterday, hospital capacity had doubled to 300 beds. But authorities did not provide updated infection cases.

While active case findings are under way, authorities have rushed to deny -- probably out of fears of creating a public panic -- that this is a third wave of the outbreak. They may argue that those migrants are contained in restricted areas, and there might be hope that infections could be limited.

But the fact is there are people who came into contact with the detained migrants, for example immigration police and cleaners who until last Saturday may not have protected themselves very well. If that is the case, some of those who picked up the virus inadvertently may have transmitted it to those around them, and this could well be a disaster.

There are reports that vaccinations have been provided to immigration officers who have been in contact with immigration detainees. But the number is too small; only 70 officers have been vaccinated.

There have been no reports of infections among immigration officers -- yet.

After the Samut Sakhon incident, it would be hoped authorities handling migrants could have done it better. This does not mean the migrants must face discrimination but, if common sense prevails, authorities have to take precautions and plug all the loopholes. If not, they run the risk of failing the public through complacency and carelessness.

What is needed now is damage control measures, quick and efficient.

[Big Boy]

What is needed now is damage control measures, quick and efficient.

Fire Fighting, rather than prevention. Where is the vaccine?

Of course, Prayut and his cronies have had the jab. The little vaccine that is available will now be sent to tourist centres to enable Farangs to bring in money (and probably the virus).

[PeteC]

If Indonesia can do this, and an Indonesian university develop the device, there is no excuse that Thailand cannot.

Indonesia to introduce new GeNose Covid-19 test for foreign visitors to Bali

https://thethaiger.com/news/regional/in ... rs-to-bali

The Indonesian government says that from next month, it will allow the use of the GeNose Covid-19 detector for foreign visitors to the island of Bali. This will replace the previous requirement for a negative PCR test or antigen rapid test obtained within 2 days of arrival. From April 1, foreign visitors will be able to take the GeNose Covid-19 test either at their point of entry at the airport or harbour, or in the departure terminal before travel. They will need to obtain a negative result before they can continue their journey.

According to a report in Coconuts, the GeNose Covid-19 detector was developed at Gadjah Mada University in the city of Yogyakarta on the island of Java. The device uses artificial intelligence to detect Covid-19 through human breath. Indonesia’s Health Ministry approved its use late last year.

The introduction of the device represents a significant cost-saving for travellers to Bali. Each GeNose test costs 30,000 Indonesian rupiahs (approximately 65 Thai baht). For comparison, an antigen rapid test costs 250,000 rupiah (approximately 540 baht), while a PCR test costs 900,000 rupiah (approximately 1,940 baht).

Officials say if anyone appears to be showing symptoms of Covid-19, despite a negative test result, they will not be able to continue with their journey but will have to take a PCR test and self-isolate until the results are known. Foreign visitors are also still required to complete a Health Alert Card. However, it’s understood children under the age of 5 will not need to take any test. Indonesia will implement the new requirements effective April1 until further notice.

The governor of Bali recently designated 3 areas of the province to welcome foreign visitors. Ubud, Sanur, and Nusa Dua have all been labelled “green zones”, as part of a Covid-free corridor, with plans to vaccinate all residents.

SOURCE: Coconuts

[Big Boy]

Each GeNose test costs 30,000 Indonesian rupiahs (approximately 65 Thai baht).

Therein is probably the reason Thailand wont develop it. No profit

[HHTel]

Just watched a video of this test being used. Reminds me of the old style breathalyser tests the police used to have. 'Blow in a bag', link it to a small machine, instant result on screen - Covid or Not.

The schoolkids in the UK are testing themselves. results in 30 minutes on a 'pregnancy strip'

And in Thailand .........

[PeteC]

....The schoolkids in the UK are testing themselves. results in 30 minutes on a 'pregnancy strip'

And in Thailand .........

Yes, I put that story in another thread last week. Below repeat:

SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Ag

I put this here, even though it's a UK video, as hopefully we'll get this testing capability here eventually and we'll be knowledgeable of it.

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/health-56326456 (Instructional video at link)

Coronavirus testing: How to do a lateral flow test at home

Coronavirus lateral flow tests are free and provide a quick result within 30 minutes. But how do you do one?

Secondary pupils across the UK are taking them as part of plans to reduce the risk of Covid-19 spreading in schools.

All businesses in England can also request tests for their workers as part of the government's roadmap out of the pandemic.

Although the tests are quick, it's important they're done correctly to give accurate results.

Our health reporter Laura Foster explains.

[HHTel]

Sorry I didn't credit you, Pete. I was using your post to comment. I watched the video you posted. I'd guess most kids would be quite excited about doing their own tests, plus it shows it shows a level of responsibility.

[pharvey]

Well, a happy Easter and thank you China (government and certain others - you know who you are): -

Here is a quick recap of recent Covid-related events from around the world:

India’s temporary hold on the Covid-19 vaccine, Oxford/AstraZeneca, will undermine Africa’s vaccination plans and potentially have a “catastrophic” impact, the head of the continents disease control body said on Thursday.
The Canadian province of Ontario will enter a lockdown for at least four weeks on Saturday.
France records 50,659 new coronavirus cases on Thursday and 308 new deaths in hospital, Reuters reports.
Mexico reports 5,381 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 454 more fatalities, bringing the country’s total to 2,244,268 infections and 203,664 deaths.
Police on horseback charged a crowd of people gathered in a Brussels park on Friday for a fake concert announced on social media as an April Fool’s Day prank.
Brazil’s biggest city sped up efforts to empty old graves to make room for Sao Paulo’s record daily burials this week. They also registered 91,097 new cases of Covid-19 and 3,769 deaths, the health ministry reports.
The Irish government has added 26 countries to a list of states subject to mandatory hotel quarantine on arrival.
After months of resistance from the president, Madagascar joins the COVAX vaccine sharing programme, the health minister announced on Thursday, following a recent pledge to rollout Covid-19 jabs.



[EDIT] Source: - https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/ ... ty-control

[PeteC]

Songkran tainted by virus fear

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... virus-fear

One of the country's most authoritative voices on Covid-19 transmission, renowned virologist Yong Poovorawan, has warned a third or even fourth wave of Covid-19 could emerge as a result of the government policy to encourage people to enjoy themselves and spend more during the upcoming Songkran festival.

"Be prepared to see the daily infection rates jump from tens to hundreds per day after the Songkran festival," Dr Yong said.

"We have become too complacent and that means we need to waste a lot of financial resources for testing, monitoring and curing the disease."

Dr Yong, the chief of the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University, on Sunday wrote on his Facebook page in response to the report of infections in pubs in the Thong Lor area last week. Restaurants and bars in Thong Lor in Bangkok's Sukhumvit area were the source of a cluster of infections last year.

Dr Yong said the relaxed measures in entertainment areas are the main factor when quick transmission occurs.

Despite the availability of vaccines, Dr Yong warned that rates of inoculation in Thailand and around the world could not keep up with infections and it would take another two years for vaccination efforts to immunise 70% of the world population.

After fewer cases were reported, Covid-19 infections on Sunday made a comeback in the capital as health authorities said cases linked to the entertainment cluster had risen to 71, according to Department of Disease Control (DDC) director-general Opas Karnkawinpong.

Dr Opas said the cases linked to the entertainment cluster rose to 71 and are scattered in Bangkok (45), Pathum Thani (11), Nonthaburi (8) and Nakhon Pathom (7).

There was even an unsubstantiated rumour Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow was infected as he had visited one of the venues in Thong Lor on March 25 and attended a cabinet meeting a few days later.

Mr Supattanapong's team was reported as denying he had exposed anyone to any risks. However, the minister already took a Covid-19 test at a state hospital in Udon Thani province and plans to get vaccinated soon, according to Dr Opas.

Possible cluster infections were also reported in other regions.

In Khon Kaen province, Srinagarind Hospital announced it would suspend treating new patients and postpone operations for uninfected people after two of its doctors tested positive for Covid-19.

Dr Pongsak Kiatchusakul, director of Srinagarind Hospital, said all hospital staff and patients who had been in close contact with the infected doctors between March 22-April 2 had been told to report for testing and quarantine.

It was confirmed the first doctor contracted the virus last Friday. He went to a restaurant and shopped at a department store, before meeting with colleagues and some patients.

The second doctor had reportedly been in contact with an infected person while attending a concert at a restaurant, Magenta, in Hugz Mall in Khon Kaen on March 26.

Meanwhile, Thai singer, Violette Wautier, who performed at the Magenta restaurant, posted the result of her own Covid-19 test on Instagram showing a negative result on Sunday.

Jaruek Laoprasert, the Khon Kaen deputy governor, said despite the new Covid-19 cases, the Songkran festival would still be held as planned.

Meanwhile, the Corrections Department on Sunday imposed a ban preventing relatives from visiting inmates at prisons nationwide, according to the Corrections Department's director-general Aryut Sinthoppan.

The temporary ban came after 112 officials and inmates at Narathiwat Prison were reported to have been infected with the virus.

[Big Boy]

I see 2 more cases in Prachuap Khiri Khan today.

[PeteC]

Sharp increase in Thai Covid cases Monday

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ses-monday (Video report at link)

The government on Monday recorded 194 new cases of Covid-19, with most of the increase driven by clusters in a Narathiwat jail and Bangkok bars, as the accumulated total since the start of the pandemic hit 29,321. No new deaths were reported, leaving the toll at 95.

Active case-finding revealed 95 of the new infections, while hospitals reported 87. Twelve cases were recent arrivals from abroad.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said Bangkok had registered 45 cases reported from hospitals, followed by Samut Prakan (9), Chon Buri (7), Suphan Buri (7), Samut Sakhon (4), Nonthaburi (4), Prachuap Khiri Khan (2), Chaiyaphum (2) and Chumphon (2).

One case each was reported in Tak, Samut Songkhram, Sa Kaeo, Narathiwat and Pathum Thani.

The cases in Bangkok included two Japanese and one Canadian, it said.

Narathiwat found the most cases from active testing – 93 inmates – while Bangkok and Pathum Thani each recorded a single case.

The 12 imported cases comprised two from Ethiopia and one each from Yemen, Russia, Brazil, India, the United States, Sweden, Bangladesh, Germany and Malaysia.

The Disease Control Department said on Sunday 40 cases had been detected in pubs and bars in Bangkok.

The CCSA warned on Monday that all places nationwide deemed at risk of spreading the virus could be ordered closed.

[HHTel]

I can see another lockdown coming. With cases popping up in most provinces and no sign of a vaccine, plus the border problem with Myanmar, it's going to get worse before it gets better.
We were praised for Thailand's control of the virus through 2020, we have slipped sadly in 2021.
I think we became complacent and now we're going to pay for our complacency.