Covid-19 News & Updates

[buksida]

China’s daily COVID cases rise, driven by previously asymptomatic patients

China reported a climb in new COVID-19 cases driven by a spike in infections among previously symptomless patients in northeastern Jilin province, official data showed on Monday,

The total number of confirmed cases in the mainland rose to 124 on Jan. 24 from 80 a day earlier, the National Health Commission said in a statement, amid the worst wave of new infections China has seen since March 2020.

Of the 117 new local infectons, Jilin accounted for 67 cases – all but three of whom were previously asymptomatic patients who were reclassified as confirmed cases after developing symptoms. Heilongjiang reported 35 new cases, while Hebei reported 11 new cases.

Though new infections remain at a fraction of those reported by other countries, the world’s most populous country is determined to keep the spread in check ahead of next month’s Lunar New Year holiday when millions travel to their home provinces.

Local authorities have rolled out a combination of measures including home quarantine of millions of people, travel curbs, mass COVID-19 testing and screening in a bid to contain the disease.

The number of new asymptomatic cases, which China does not classify as confirmed cases, fell to 45 from 92 cases a day earlier.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in mainland China is 89,115, while the death toll remains unchanged at 4,635.

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/chinas-dai ... -patients/

[HHTel]

The number of new asymptomatic cases, which China does not classify as confirmed cases,

I didn't know that. If Thailand followed the same rule, Samut Sakhon would have very few cases as 90% were reported as asymptomatic.

[buksida]

They're all fiddling the numbers, that much has been clear from day one.

Obviously, the problem with the asymptomatic ones is that they're not likely to get tested, especially if they have to pay for it.

[PeteC]

There's always been a mystery involved with the numbers, worldwide. Here we're seeing 150-275 discovered cases per day at present. How many others are walking around with it either asymptomatic or active, but they think it's something else and don't bother getting checked over until it becomes full blown.

Somewhere there has to be a statistical model predicting what those hidden numbers really are. Statisticians live to develop computer programs like that so I'm sure someone has.

[buksida]

Rejection of India’s vaccine offer adds to mounting concerns about Thailand’s vaccine program

As the battle in Thailand continues to rage between the opposition, members of the public, and the government over Thailand’s Covid-19 vaccine acquisition program, the revelation that India offered to sell over 2 million doses of their AstraZeneca-licensed vaccine was rejected by the Thai government has raised questions about the current administration’s priorities.

India has pledged to give millions of doses of Covid-19 vaccines to neighbouring countries over the next few weeks in a bid to push-back against China’s increasingly dominating presence within South and Southeast Asia.

With a technological transfer agreement with AstraZeneca in place, the Serum Institute of India has already begun supplying vaccines to South Asian neighbors like Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan.

Myanmar, this week, received its first doses of the SII vaccine and is due to get millions more from the Narendra Modi government.

According to sources within the Indian government, the offer to supply the same vaccine, at cost, to Thailand (up to 2 million doses initially) was also presented to Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai but was rejected outright.

The Indian Ambassador in Thailand did not comment on the offer but said that the Indian government stood ready to work with Thai partners to ensure that vaccines reach at-risk populations and frontline workers.

...

According to analysts, the Thai government’s refusal to consider other sources of vaccines and its determination to forge-ahead with its vaccine program was “dogmatic and stubborn.”

“We’re lucky that the impact of Covid-19 has not been that acute in this country because this kind of approach would cost lives elsewhere,” said political analyst Arun Saronchai.

“I think you’re seeing this dogmatic and stubborn approach because there are people that stand to benefit from the government maintaining its course and insisting on locally-produced AstraZeneca vaccines and importing SinoVac vaccines.”

“You also see clout and influence of Chinese government in this region. Like India, they are also trying to promote their soft power with their vaccine diplomacy but the difference is they already have significance in the region,” Arun said.

Various members of the opposition have also questioned why the Thai government has dragged its feet on vaccine acquisition and why there are reports that the current administration is paying a premium for the vaccines they are looking to import.

According to local news reports and whistleblower statements from inside the government, Thailand is set to pay up to 60 per cent more per dose for both the SinoVac vaccine and the Astrazeneca vaccine drawing criticisms of corruption and embezzlement from the opposition parties.

https://www.thaienquirer.com/23278/reje ... e-program/

The junta's motivations have been made quite clear, and they don't include a rapid and cost-effective vaccination program for its citizens.

[HHTel]

Thailand is set to pay up to 60 per cent more per dose

I'm sure the net cost is much lower. 60% will include 'kick-backs'.

[Big Boy]

Today's Brief:

[Big Boy]

I guess the highlight of today's brief was the statement that many restrictions will be gradually eased by many provinces throughout this week. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean the centre of the Covid infection universe, Prachuap Khiri Khan

[PET]

Announced this afternoon that 940 new cases in Samut Sakhon

[HHTel]

50,000 people are lining up to be tested for Covid-19 in the hotspot of Samut Sakhon over the next 5 days as health officials step up pro-active testing in the hard-hit Thai province. The target of 10,000 people to be tested per day will focus on factory workers, communities and dormitories in an effort to change Krathum Ban and Muang districts from red to yellow and then green zones.

Apisamai Srirangsun, the CCSA deputy spokesperson, says they expect to find 2,000-3,000 new cases as a result of the increased tracking, tracing and testing. She says health officials are trying to track down and free Samut Sakhon of new infections.

So far, 70,000 people in the province have been tested for the virus with 5,332 found to be infected. Most of those infected are migrant workers from Myanmar, with the infection rate around 7%.

That's the reason behind that figure of 900+

https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/5000 ... land-today

[buksida]

The government needs to prioritize its people over profit in the march towards a vaccine
Each passing week seems to bring a new low in the ongoing mismanagement of the affairs of Thailand at the hands of the government led by 2014 coup leader Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha.

The latest such low comes amid reports that the Thai government has rejected an offer by India to supply 2 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine immediately.

The doses were priced at less than USD 3 each, 60 per cent cheaper than the USD 5 in projected costs for the same vaccine to be produced by Siam BioScience. Calls to authorities in Thailand have not seen any explanation or reason behind the rejection of the offer from India.

The offer was reportedly first extended in December. Although there has been no comment by this government on that offer, Thailand has gone ahead and ordered a Chinese-made vaccine at USD 5 per dose. (Read more here)

The oligarchs before the people
The government’s procurement from China-based SinoVac Lifescience, 15-per-cent owned by Sino BioPharmaceutical, the pharmaceutical arm of CP Group, may raise questions or even eyebrows but comes as perhaps no great surprise amid the growing power of the Group.

A look back over how the country’s corporations have fared in the years since the 2014 coup shows how Thailand’s oligarchs have benefited from the rise of the absolute power. These wealthy individuals and their handful of large corporations have benefited immensely at the expense of the people. And the way the country has gone about procuring the Covid-19 vaccine has effectively written off the lives of ordinary citizens as “dispensable”, for the sake of the money-minting machines that serve the Who’s Who of Thailand.

This is not an uncommon theme since 2014, as many billionaires have benefited from the policies of this government and its predecessor rule under the military regime. In fact several new billionaires have been minted in Thailand since Prayut’s coup and owe him allegiance, with some reportedly contributing finance of billions of baht during previous elections.

The masses, on the other hand, have been suffering as the impact of the Covid-19 has left the country bruised like never before.

Job losses in 2020 hit a record level while new graduates have been unable to land first jobs, with little hope in sight.

Every sector has been hit, with tourism the hardest as millions of people employed, directly or indirectly, in the sector are surviving on reduced income, social security funds or nothing no income at all.

https://www.thaienquirer.com/23309/opin ... a-vaccine/

This outlet really does tell it how it is ...

[Big Boy]

Today's Brief:

[buksida]

Update to interprovincial travel in Thailand amid COVID-19 controls:
https://www.thailand-business-news.com/ ... trols.html

[HHTel]

In spite of the figures in the briefing of 46 'green' provinces and the hint at relief of restrictions at the end of the month.

[Big Boy]

No, the way heard it, they would be meeting tomorrow, and would start announcing lifting of some restrictions afterwards.