COVID-19 situation in Thailand is nearing critical point – Dr. Prasit Wattanapha. PBS World



The COVID-19 situation in Thailand is approaching a critical level, with daily new infection and fatality rates on the rise, said Dr. Prasit Wattanapha, dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Mahidol University, as he urged cooperation from everyone by keeping their guard up and wearing face masks all the time, even at home.

In a three-minute video clip, released before the CCSA press conference today (Monday), Dr. Prasit said that the COVID-19 situation today is totally different from that a year ago, when the government eased the restrictions imposed during the initial outbreak.

Today, he said, infections are on the rise and the fatality rate, which was 0.12% of all infections, has increased to 0.36%.

"This means we are approaching the critical level," said the dean, as he sought full public cooperation, adding "because the figures this week show new infections are happening at home, among family members and friends."

"We don't know who will bring the disease into our house. We must observe social distancing and regularly wash our hands, which is a duty for everyone," he said.

Dr. Prasit urged Thai people to trust COVID-19 vaccines, stressing that it is a tool to "make us safe", as he dismissed all the rumours about the negatives or side effects of vaccines.

He noted at there are only about 4 cases of undesirable side effects from vaccines in every one million people inoculated.

"Vaccination is not just for your own safety, but for the safety of your loved ones as well," he said as he urged everyone to get inoculated.

Meanwhile, the CCSA held a special meeting today, to discuss vaccination of people living in the Khlong Toey slum, where COVID-19 infections are spreading rapidly, due to the cramped living conditions.

Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang said that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who chaired the CCSA meeting, ordered vaccinations in Khlong Toey to be sped up.

The vaccination campaign will start tomorrow, targeting 1,000 people per day, increasing to as many as 3,000 until May 19^th, when about 20,000 people, of the 80,000 living in the slum, will have been inoculated, said the governor.