Covid-19 News & Updates

[oakdale160]

If Morocco can do that, so can Thailand --- NO IT CANT

[huahin4ever]

Bing COVID tracker:

https://www.bing.com/covid

[hhinner]

I really can't understand why they won't provide a breakdown of where the cases are? It would help to stop the rumour monging. On one official document I have seen, which seems to be in wide circulation, Pkk as listed in the high risk category with 34 other province, but why?

Korat now seems to be issuing figures which don't make a lot of sense to me - 14.3.20 suspected infection 148, no infection 141, wait for result 7, in hospital 22, return home 125 and there is the app that is Bkk centric which lists the cases from other sources where outbreaks have been reported, but omits any mention of Korat.

Just an update on Korat, 2 confirmed cases now (at least) and pics of someone being taken into hospital.

My brother in law, an Aussie, is stuck in Morocco. So I thought I would find out what the situation is there, via wiki. There is a detailed breakdown city by city of the number of cases in each, plus details of the 2 deceased.

If Morocco can do that, so can Thailand.

The https://covidtracker.5lab.co/ site shows where the cases are. Although it does seem to have removed the icons which showed recovered cases. Currently it shows two females confirmed and hospitalised in Korat, both Thai, one who works in Bangkok, one travelled from Cambodia.

Can also follow in twitter @covidtrackerth.

[caller]

Currently it shows two females confirmed and hospitalised in Korat, both Thai, one who works in Bangkok, one travelled from Cambodia.

Can also follow in twitter @covidtrackerth.

Yes, that's the app I was referring to and it's good that they have added those cases, but there are others under investigation that aren't mentioned.

But where are the official figures from the Govt? Each day, most Countries make an official announcement. For the UK I can enter my post code and get all the info available for the area where my house is, should I need it. Here, we get rumours.

[HHTel]

Just finished watching Boris' press conference. He really is a prat. The only measure that came out was that he was closing schools from Friday for 'most'.
Everything else was drivel/advice. No teeth to any of it.

One reporter asked a quite relevant question:
"A third of the deaths/cases are in London. However, the buses are full, the bars and restaurants are full. Nobody is listening to you."

Typical politician and spoke without answering it.

One thing that came out that I haven't heard mentioned elsewhere is that they're going to start tests for antibodies in people to get a picture of how many have had the disease and recovered without even knowing it. Not quite sure what that achieves except as a statistic.

I never thought I'd ever say this but they're doing much more in the states. Fronted by Trump, who is a moron. I doubt very much that the initiatives are his. I reckon he's out of his depth and finally leaving it up to his experts.

I notice Boris does not have any experts at these press conferences so where is his credibility?

[Dannie Boy]

Not trying to defend Boris, but I thought he was always accompanied at the press conference with Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty and another “expert” whose name escapes me?
It’s the Chief Scientific Officer Sir Patrick Vallance

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HHTel]

The other guy is Sir Patrick Vallance.

I agree that their credentials look good. However, they seem to have spent most of their career 'advising' and giving lectures. Sir Patrick comes from a background at GSK.

Neither come across as people who have 'got their hands dirty'. Like many advisers, put them in a lecture hall or in the front of a class/convention and they're well in their comfort zone.

[caller]

The other guy is Sir Patrick Vallance.

Neither come across as people who have 'got their hands dirty'. Like many advisers, put them in a lecture hall or in the front of a class/convention and they're well in their comfort zone.

I think you're being unfair. There is a team of experts beavering away behind the scenes at Imperial College. The two in question are the public face of that,

It was interesting to hear the journalist say everyone was ignoring the advice to not go out etc. Maybe that's central London, but in the 'burbs' it's a very different matter, from what I am hearing from friends. But I have heard talk that they will lock down London. That will upset all the luvvies. The Guardian will be outraged.

[hhinner]

Currently it shows two females confirmed and hospitalised in Korat, both Thai, one who works in Bangkok, one travelled from Cambodia.

Can also follow in twitter @covidtrackerth.

Yes, that's the app I was referring to and it's good that they have added those cases, but there are others under investigation that aren't mentioned.

But where are the official figures from the Govt? Each day, most Countries make an official announcement. For the UK I can enter my post code and get all the info available for the area where my house is, should I need it. Here, we get rumours.

The official figures from the government are on the ministry of public health website. It's easily up to Thai government website standards, i.e. next to useless. The reports in Thai are currently for 17th and English for 15th. The main page includes the same table as available on other web sites. There is no breakdown according to city, province, etc.

https://ddc.moph.go.th/viralpneumonia/index.php

Even the website URL is misleading.

[PeteC]

Tourism minister to seek reprieve for overstayers

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/18 ... verstayers. (video at link)

The Tourism Ministry will seek a reprieve for some 500,000 tourists who will end up overstaying their visa now that countries in Europe have started sealing their borders to deal with Covid-19.

"Most of the remaining tourists are long-stay elderly travellers from Germany, Italy and Russia who spend their winters here. They came to Thailand before the virus hit their hometowns and decided not to return home. They fear not receiving sufficient healthcare [upon returning home during such dire circumstances]," said Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.

European countries have been closing their borders since this weekend and flights have been cancelled, making it impossible for tourists to fly back home, he said.

Mr Phiphat told the Bangkok Post that he is going to discuss the matter with the Interior Ministry and Immigration Bureau, as this problem comes under their jurisdiction.

He plans to seek a temporary reprieve for these tourists as well as visa extensions for those whose countries have been affected. He will also ask the authorities to not have overstayers blacklisted.

By law, tourists from most countries can get a tourist visa for 30 days and are fined 500 baht for every day they overstay. Serious offenders can face deportation or be blacklisted, which bans them from re-entering.

Mr Phiphat said the request is for humanitarian purposes, adding that long-stay guests can also help keep local businesses running during this tough time. However, he admitted this is a "delicate" issue and could lead to future concerns about national security.

As for whether Thailand will impose strict measures to stop foreigners from entering the country, Mr Phiphat said Thailand will not shut borders.

"But we will intensify screening along the borders and boost medical checkups for tourists from neighbouring countries," he said. "Thailand has a good reputation for its healthcare and hospitality services, which gives foreigners more confidence. However, since Thais are worried about the outbreak, we have to carefully screen each incoming guest."

Apart from border checkpoints and airports, the 4th Army Region is also strictly guarding natural borders.

[hhinner]

^^ The above mentioned website includes this table: https://ddc.moph.go.th/viralpneumonia/e ... 180363.png

As can be seen, as of 18th March only some 7,300 tests have been carried out. Obviously the big screening numbers are pretty meaningless.

[hhinner]

banner_declaration_180363.png (40.58 KiB) Viewed 322 times

[hhinner]

Sorry, bad adding up. 7500 tests.

[oakdale160]

In the USA, it is the State Governors and the Mayors of major cities that have taken the lead.
Gov Cuomo of NY State has been very proactive.

[HHTel]

The other guy is Sir Patrick Vallance.

Neither come across as people who have 'got their hands dirty'. Like many advisers, put them in a lecture hall or in the front of a class/convention and they're well in their comfort zone.

I think you're being unfair. There is a team of experts beavering away behind the scenes at Imperial College. The two in question are the public face of that,

It was interesting to hear the journalist say everyone was ignoring the advice to not go out etc. Maybe that's central London, but in the 'burbs' it's a very different matter, from what I am hearing from friends. But I have heard talk that they will lock down London. That will upset all the luvvies. The Guardian will be outraged.

You're probably right, Caller. It was just my opinion. The old adage 'First impressions count' and, for me, that impression didn't count for much, unlike Dr. Anthony Fauci in the states with over 50 years experience. He actually comes across as an expert. Someone that people would listen to.
But that's just me.