Covid-19 News & Updates

[PeteC]

Note: The below link will lead to the full, updated story between 1400 and 1500 hours this afternoon.

28,029 new Covid cases, 96 more deaths [/b

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ore-deaths

New Cases: 28,029 (-350)
ATK: 22,331 (-8,102)
Deaths: 96 (+4)
Hospital: 255,795 (+4,581)
Released: 23,352 (-491)

https://ddc.moph.go.th/covid19-dashboard/

[PeteC]

Note: The below link will lead to the full, updated story between 1400 and 1500 hours this afternoon.

26,840 new Covid cases, 97 more deaths

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ore-deaths

New Cases: 26,840 (-1,189)
ATK: 22,331 (-1,836)
Deaths: 97 (+1)
Hospital: 259,126 (+3,331)
Released: 23,412 (+60)

https://ddc.moph.go.th/covid19-dashboard/

[buksida]

Latest Omicron variant 'XE' arrives
Thailand on Saturday reported its first case of Omicron XE, a combination of two previous versions of the Omicron variant, shortly after the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned about the new hybrid.

The finding of XE, a mutant hybrid of the BA.1 and BA.2 variants, was reported by the Center for Medical Genomics, Ramathibodi Hospital.

In a post on its Facebook page, the centre said the XE recombinant was found through genomic sequencing of a swab sample taken from a Thai patient.

The XE recombinant is not the Deltacron variant, according to the centre.

The WHO warned on Tuesday that XE could be the most transmissible strain of the new coronavirus although its severity is still being investigated.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... xe-arrives

[PeteC]

It's starting to sound like car model options!

[PeteC]

I really don't know what this country is trying to accomplish sometimes. Two or three news stories I've read today and each day are pounding away that there are 259,000+ people in hospital with Covid.

What they fail to mention is that there are really only 68,000 in a real hospital with only 1,800+ in serious condition. 191,000+ are in warehouses or at home wiping their noses until they achieve a negative ATK test.

Is it a journalistic requirement here to accentuate the negative in each and every story? Meanwhile across town another ministry and the entire business community are trying to attract tourists with their every breath?

All the potential visitors read are the BIG numbers and outdated requirements in comparison to other countries. Do they think many will be excited or make the effort to come here?

[PeteC]

Note: The below link will lead to the full, updated story between 1400 and 1500 hours this afternoon.

24,892 new Covid cases, 97 more deaths

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ore-deaths

New Cases: 24,892 (-1,948)
ATK: 15,972 (-6,359)
Deaths: 97 (+-0)
Active Cases: 256,667 (-12,459)
Released: 27,254 (+3,842)

https://ddc.moph.go.th/covid19-dashboard/

[hhinner]

Pete, given your rant above, why are you posting that 256,667 are in hospital when the dashboard doesn't say that at all? Is it a translation problem?

[HHTel]

That's just a total of all being treated in various 'hospitals' whether 'real' hospital, field hospitals or other. Click on the link and it's easily broken down.
Kudos to Pete for even taking the time to post the figures. He's spent many hours in the past on a daily basis posting the complete breakdown to save ourselves the trouble.
I can understand the now limited figures as they've lost all meaning.

[joelle]

Pete, given your rant above, why are you posting that 256,667 are in hospital when the dashboard doesn't say that at all? Is it a translation problem?

from Richard Barrow Facebook page which matches what Pete posted
#COVID19 update on Monday
24,892 new cases
⏺ 97 deaths
256,667 active cases
1,858 serious cases
‍♂️ 27,254 recovered

[PeteC]

Pete, given your rant above, why are you posting that 256,667 are in hospital when the dashboard doesn't say that at all? Is it a translation problem?

Not only does the dashboard give that figure today, but also the Bangkok Post article posted above.

...."while 256,667 others were receiving treatment (down from 259,126 on the previous day)."

Tomorrow I'll change it to "Under Treatment".

That total number is what publications pound on about and never break it down between actual hospital or field hospital/home isolation. They without fail give the large eye popping number, always.

[buksida]

They without fail give the large eye popping number, always.

The media here panders to the state - so the higher the numbers are, the more "legitimacy" the junta has in keeping lockdowns and restrictions going.

[hhinner]

Pete, given your rant above, why are you posting that 256,667 are in hospital when the dashboard doesn't say that at all? Is it a translation problem?

Not only does the dashboard give that figure today, but also the Bangkok Post article posted above.

...."while 256,667 others were receiving treatment (down from 259,126 on the previous day)."

Tomorrow I'll change it to "Under Treatment".

That total number is what publications pound on about and never break it down between actual hospital or field hospital/home isolation. They without fail give the large eye popping number, always.

The dashboard gives that figure as "under treatment" not in hospital. The dashboard then breaks that down as "in hospital" and "field hospital". The "field hospital" number is then broken down as "field hospital/Hospitel", "Home/Community isolation" and "Other/not specified".

And as you point out yourself the BP “256,667 others were receiving treatment", not saying they were in hospital, although I do agree that the sentence in the BP is ambiguous and could be read as if the treatment was in hospital -
"On Sunday, 27,254 Covid-19 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovering from the coronavirus while 256,667 others were receiving treatment (down from 259,126 on the previous day)".

[PeteC]

XE wave 'likely to be mild'

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... to-be-mild

The Public Health Ministry on Sunday played down concerns raised by the detection of the first case of the XE Covid-19 strain in the country, saying there is no need to panic as it is not believed to result in as many complications as some previous mutations.

The head of the Centre for Medical Genomics (CMG) at Ramathibodi Hospital, which diagnosed the patient found with the strain, said the individual had already made a full recovery.

The rising number of Covid-19 strains only fuels the rapidity of genomic variation as has been evidenced recently by the emergence of Deltacron, a recombinant virus that contains genes from both Delta and Omicron variants, said Dr Supakit Sirilak, director-general of the Department of Medical Sciences (DMS).

In this case, XE is a recombinant virus of two sublineages of the Omicron variant, BA.1 and BA.2, he said, in response to reports about the detection of the first XE case, which was revealed on Saturday by the CMG.

The DMS is performing genomic sequencing on about 500 virus samples a week, he said, adding the DMS will hold a press briefing today to provide more information about the XE case and its broader implications.

The World Health Organization (WHO) had also on Saturday issued a warning over the XE Omicron variant that many in the medical field fear could be the most transmissible yet.

The XE recombinant was first detected in the UK on Jan 19 and less than 600 sequences have been reported and confirmed since, the WHO said.

Wasun Chantratita, the head of the CMG, said they normally receive virus samples for testing about a week after an infection is confirmed, which explains why by the time the results are known, most patients have already nearly recovered.

Anan Jongkaewwattana, an expert with the National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (Biotec), meanwhile, said those who had already been infected with the sub-variant BA.2 of Omicron may already carry some immunity due to the similarities between the pair BA.2. "Don't be more afraid of XE than BA.2 as that strain has already been around town," he said.

Considering a rise in number of patients developing severe symptoms when infected with Covid-19 after a fourth booster shot, he said he recommends delaying seeking further appointments for booster shots until a newer generation of the vaccine is available.

Immunity generated by multiple vaccines may even have an adverse effect and lead to more severe inflammation in those who catch the virus after their shots, he said.

For those who already had two rounds of an inactivated type of Covid-19 vaccine, two more booster shots of other types may be needed, while those who had started with two shots of other types of the vaccine may need only one booster shot for now, he said.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Sunday recorded 26,840 new cases and 97 deaths.

In another development, the National Health Security Office (NHSO) said it is preparing for an expected rise in the number of new Covid-19 patients in the coming weeks. The Songkran festival is thought to be a risk factor in leading to an increase in cases.

Priority in terms of both times given by doctors and specialists as well as access to treatment will be given to new elderly patients, particularly those with underlying health conditions that may exacerbate their symptoms, and children, said NHSO secretary-general Dr Jadej Thammatacharees.

[PeteC]

Singapore won’t restore pandemic-era restrictions if Covid cases rise

https://thethaiger.com/news/regional/si ... cases-rise

If Covid-19 infections rise in Singapore, the city-state will not increase or strengthen current pandemic combatting measures, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong told The Straits Times. After two years of battling the spread of the virus, Singapore is on the alert for a possible rebound in infections, having lifted most of its most pandemic-era restrictions beginning April 1.

Axed policies include the national mask mandate, which required people to wear a mask in public areas, as well as dining and travel restrictions. Singapore is the first nation in Southeast Asia to adopt a living-with-covid strategy, with neighbouring nations expected to follow suit later this year.

According to minister of health, current policies on the movement of unvaccinated Singaporeans, as well as entry restrictions, will not be reconsidered until the nation’s healthcare condition is considered “completely stable.”

With the relaxation of travel regulations for international travellers, more people will be able to enter Singapore — provided they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19. Meanwhile, labor rates in the construction sector are projected to reach “previous levels” by the middle of the year. An increased workforce is projected help reduce inflation prices caused by the pandemic.

SOURCE: Bloomberg

[PeteC]

This is all getting tiresome. Another new 2022 model introduced today.

Delivery man may be infected with new XJ Covid variant

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... id-variant

A parcel delivery man may be infected with a new Covid-19 variant never before detected in Thailand, a senior health official said on Monday.

Department of Medical Sciences director-general Supakit Sirilak said the 34-year-old man may be infected with the XJ variant.

The XJ variant is another combination of the BA1 and BA2 variants. It was first detected in Finland.

Dr Supakit said a genome test on Feb 22 at a hospital in Bangkok found a coronavirus strain very close to the XJ recombinant.

"We still need more information for the confirmation," he said. "It is highly likely to be the XJ recombinant."

The man had previously been inoculated with two doses of the Sinopharm vaccine, he said.

"He met many people due to the nature of his job. That made him vulnerable to infection," he said.

Thailand has already reported a first case of infection with Omicron XE, detected by the Centre for Medical Genomics of Ramathibodi Hospital.

Dr Supakit said there was no evidence the two new recombinants were more dangerous than the existing variants aleady spread through the country.

The BA2 Omicron variant is currently dominant in Thailand. It is highly contagious, more so than the BA1 variant.