Virologist predicts spread of Delta, urges better, faster vaccine rollout. Thailand’s well-known virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan on Wednesday urged the government to inoculate as many people as possible to prevent an outbreak of the Covid-19 Delta strain. The Nation



Citing a study by the Department of Medical Sciences, his Facebook post said 90 per cent of Covid-19 infections in Thailand were from the Alpha strain, followed by Delta strain (9 per cent) and Beta strain (1 per cent).

However, he predicted that the number of Delta-strain infections, found mostly among young workers, would gradually rise in the next three to four months.

He also pointed out that the vaccines currently administered in Thailand only offer protection against the Alpha strain.

"It will soon become necessary to monitor the spread of each strain to improve disease control," he said, adding that more variants of the virus could emerge in the future.

"We believe new Covid-19 vaccines will be produced next year to deal with the different strains," he said.

Published : June 23, 2021 

By :  The Nation 



Sandbox could be revised, cancelled if Covid-19 outbreaks occur By Neill FrondeWednesday, June 23, 2021. The Thaiger / Phuket News

 

Sandbox could be revised, cancelled if Covid-19 outbreaks occur

By 

Neill Fronde

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

With Phuket scheduled to reopen to international travellers next Friday, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration has put together a "Plan B" for closing the Sandbox in case of outbreaks. Deputy Director-General of the Department of Information Natapanu Nopakun, who also acts as the Deputy Spokesman of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, outlines possible scenarios in an English address during the CCSA national Covid-19 briefing yesterday.

The Deputy Director-General said that if things worsened considerably after reopening, plans could be reconsidered or halted. If outbreaks increase rapidly in Phuket once the province opens to international travellers on July 1, revisions to the Sandbox may be necessary.

Some outcomes would be the possibility of implementing restrictions on activitiesand businesses that might be high-risk for Covid-19 infection spread. This scenario would be rough as bars and nightlife venues are currently fighting and petitioning the government to be allowed to reopen.

Another possible action would be adding a hotel quarantine to reduce an incoming spread of Covid-19, or creating a "Sealed Route" plan to isolate tourism. If Covid-19 outbreaks occur on a larger scale it's possible that the Sandbox plan would be cancelled completely.

Natapanu reminds everyone that this is a sort of doomsday contingency plan and hopes that Covid-19 infections are minor and can be handled and contained. He points out that Phuket is now ranked 28th in Thailand for provincial infections and is improving.

"Of course, this is in preparation of a worst-case scenario if the province opens and something adverse happens, there are more cases and we are not able to control the infections in the province, then this would be the consideration."

Some possible scenarios that could prompt a reconsidering of the Phuket Sandbox reopening would all involve indications of Covid-19 outbreaks. If more than 90 people a week get infected with Covid-19, the government would likely make changes to the program. Even without that 90-person target, if infections reach across more than 6 villages in all 3 districts of Phuket, the spread area would be considered a danger and spurn action.

Both of those Sandbox-affecting scenarios point to visible outbreaks of Covid-19 affecting many people or many locations or both. Lack of information could be another cause of concern though, and if officials find Covid-19 infections cropping up without being able to follow the history through contact tracing or find any links to known infections, the mystery could be a major cause for concern.

Finally, if hospitals run the risk of being overwhelmed treating infections of Covid-19, this creates a health crisis even for those not infected but unable to get other medical treatment. If hospital bed capacity reaches above 80% in Phuket due to outbreaks, officials may pull the plug on the Sandbox scheme.

SOURCE: The Phuket News



While Thailand is pushing full steam ahead to reopen to international tourism, the United States government issued a statement warning Americans not to travel to Thailand citing Covid-19 risks and civil unrest in the south. The US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs regularly updates travel information for US citizens wishing to go abroad, issuing a Travel Advisory Level from 1 to 4, and this week rated Thailand Level 3. The Thaiger



US Warns its citizens against traveling to Thailand

By 

Neill Fronde

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

While Thailand is pushing full steam ahead to reopen to international tourism, the United States government issued a statement warning Americans not to travel to Thailand citing Covid-19 risks and civil unrest in the south. The US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs regularly updates travel information for US citizens wishing to go abroad, issuing a Travel Advisory Level from 1 to 4, and this week rated Thailand Level 3.

The four stages are: Level 1 – exercise normal precautions, Level 2 – exercise increased caution, Level 3 – reconsider travel, Level 4 – do not travel. The travel advisory was released last week, but notifications were sent this morning by email to US citizens who travel abroad and are registered in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. The STEP system notifies travelling Americans of Embassy warnings on safety conditions in requested countries.

The STEP system does often act like an overbearing mother, warning travellers of all possible problems and leaning towards an overabundance of caution. But the current warning comes in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control who has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice in a similar 4-tiered warning system due to outbreaks of Covid-19 in Thailand.

The CDC rates Thailand as "very high" for Covid-19 Levels and advises that only fully vaccinated people consider travel to Thailand. This is in line with Thailand's current reopening rules requiring all international arrivals to be fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated travellers are warned by the CDC not to attempt travel to Thailand unless it's absolutely essential and warns that anyone travelling to Thailand runs a high risk of being exposed to Covid-19. They recommend following all Thai requirements including wearing a mask and social distancing.

In the travel advisory, the US Department of State also cautions against travelling to the south of Thailand, citing the risk of violence in Songkhla, Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat. The south is also experiencing a surge in the Delta variant of Covid-19increasing risk. The US warns that a domestic insurgency commits occasional violent acts in the region. Though directed generally at the Thai government, attacks could take place in public areas with indiscriminate targets.

Martial law has been declared in areas in the south and the American government warns that they must obtain special authorisation to travel into the area so are limited in their ability to assist US nationals in the southern provinces.

SOURCE: US Dept of State and CDC

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Inoculation of French nationals aged 55+ in Thailand begins Wednesday. PBS World

Inoculation of French nationals aged 55+ in Thailand begins Wednesday

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Inoculation of French nationals in Thailand, aged 55 and over, begins today (Wednesday) for two weeks at eight hospitals across the country, according to the French Embassy in Bangkok.

The inoculation is taking place at Bangkok Hospital facilities in the capital, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Phuket, Khon Kaen, Koh Samui and Udon Thani.

Vaccination is only on appointment basis. Registration is available at https://form.jotform.com/211522249844455.

Vaccination is on a voluntary basis and free of charge, as it is being subsidized by the French government, the embassy's statement reads.

The vaccine being administered is Johnson & Johnson's Janssen.

More information can be found on the embassy's page.

CCSA outlines ‘contingency plan’ criteria for shutting down Phuket Sandbox. Phuket News

CCSA outlines 'contingency plan' criteria for shutting down Phuket Sandbox

PHUKET: The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has outlined its key criteria for its Phuket Sandbox 'contingency plan', in case COVID infections start spiralling upward following the reopening of the province to foreign visitors next Friday (July 1).

Natapanu Nopakun, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Information and Deputy Spokesman of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, explained the criteria in English yesterday (June 22) as part of the CCSA's national COVID-sitaution briefing.

Mr Natapanu noted that Phuket ranked 28th in the country for infections, adding, "So they are doing good progress there."

He also explained that criteria for the cancellation of the Phuket Sandbox scheme "if anything adverse happens".

"For example, if there are 90 persons infected per week in Phuket, that would be a criteria for reconsideration of the scheme once it has started, or for any adjustments," Mr Natapanu said.

"Also if all three districts in Phuket are affected, and in that more than six villages are affected, that would be another criteria," he added.

"If there are COVID cases and there are no linkages found and no contact tracing is possible, that would be another criteria," Mr Natapanu continued.

"Also, if the hospital bed capacity exceeds 80%, that would be another criteria," he added.

"If the situation becomes worse in Phuket after the opening of the province on the 1st of July with these particular criteria, then it [the box scheme] would be reconsidered," Mr Natapanu noted.

"Some of the reconsideration of the Phuket Sandbox scheme would be possibly to decrease the level of business activity or to conduct 'Sealed Route' travel, and also to have more hotel quarantine," he said.

"Also as a worst-case scenario, they would have to halt the [Sandbox] scheme in Phuket," Mr Natapanu added.

"Of course, this is in preparation of a worst-case scenario if the province opens and something adverse happens, there are more cases and we are not able to control the infections in the province, then this would be the consideration," he said plainly.

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 142 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today, June 23rd. Pattaya News

Chonburi Covid-19 cases drop to 142

Wednesday, 23 June 2021, 9:30

Chonburi –

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 142 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today, June 23^rd.

This makes a total of 6,770 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 1,694 still in medical care, and with a total of 37 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April.

Additionally, 5,039 people in total have now been released from medical care and fully recovered since this current wave began. 72 people were released yesterday.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi 56, Si Racha 21, Banglamung 23, Panat Nikhom 3, Sattahip 11, Ban Bueng 19, Pan Thong 1, Ko Chan 2, and six new cases transferred from other provinces for medical care.

The details on the cases are as follows:

1. Cluster at New Market Mueang Chonburi, 27 cases (Active case finding)
2. Cluster at Sattahip Market, 7 cases (Active case finding)
3. Migrant community dormitory in Khao Kansong, Si Racha, 4 cases
4. Migrant community dormitory in Si Racha, 4 cases
5. Came back from a risky area in Samut Prakan, 1 case
6. Risky occupations that meets a lot of people, 1 case
7. Close contact from previous confirmed cases from a company in Khao Kansong, Si Racha, 14 cases
8. Close contact from previous confirmed cases of Kanchanaburi, 1 case
9. Overall close contacts of confirmed patients:

• 18 family members
• 22 co-workers

10. Close contact of confirmed patients (Which is under investigation), 22 cases
11. Cases are under investigation in general, 21 cases

A total of 531 contact searches were received today, 2,694 initial proactive searches, and more proactive search reports are pending.

_________________

In the light of decisions to re-open the country to the Phuket Sandbox scheme on July 1st - and subsequent opening of three islands in Surat Thani - the PM accepted that the economy in Thailand was in a mess. It was therefore necessary to re-open the country before it was completely ruined. In order to do this he admitted that some risks must be taken. Thai Visa

Picture: Daily News

 

Thai media Daily News reported from Government House yesterday where a cabinet video-conference meeting chaired by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha took place. 

 

In the light of decisions to re-open the country to the Phuket Sandbox scheme on July 1st - and subsequent opening of three islands in Surat Thani - the PM accepted that the economy in Thailand was in a mess. 

 

It was therefore necessary to re-open the country before it was completely ruined.

 

In order to do this he admitted that some risks must be taken.

 

He based his comments on the state of the economy on his Digital Economy and Science ministry analysis. 

 

He said that all his ministries were pulling together.

 

In comments related to possible amendments to the constitution he ruled out the possibility of a referendum. 

 

He said that amendments must be reasonable. 

 

The issue is being debated today and tomorrow. 

 

 

🔴 #COVID19 UPDATE on WEDNESDAY: 51 deaths and 3,174 cases (36 from prisons). Full details at 12:30pm.Richard Barrow

 



I’m really perplexed about the Phuket Reopening. Only eight days to go before the #PhuketReopening and foreign tourists are still waiting for the official list of approved countries to be released and for the Certificate of Entry (COE) website to be updated to include the #PhuketSandbox. Richard Barrow



Only eight days to go before the #PhuketReopening and foreign tourists are still waiting for the official list of approved countries to be released and for the Certificate of Entry (COE) website to be updated to include the #PhuketSandbox. Also for answers about cost of tests and how to transfer to hotels.

I'm really perplexed about the Phuket Reopening. Tourism officials are showing off about the number of confirmed flights for the first week & even passenger numbers. But how's this possible? The Certificate of Entry website is not updated. Who are these people? Surely not real tourists. 

Bangkok Post highlights 23/6

 

CCSA Has Back-up Plans for Phuket Reopening. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is going ahead with the Phuket Sandbox reopening plan, saying the tourism scheme can be adjusted or cancelled, depending on the Covid-19 situation. TNA

CCSA Has Back-up Plans for Phuket Reopening

22 June 2021 16:32

BANGKOK, June 22 (TNA) – The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is going ahead with the Phuket Sandbox reopening plan, saying the tourism scheme can be adjusted or cancelled, depending on the Covid-19 situation.

Taweesin Visanuyothin, CCSA spokesman said the reopening will proceed although the daily Covid-19 case tally in Thailand today reached 4,059 cases. The disease management is being carried out in the outbreak areas. Phuket saw a single digit increase in Covid-19 cases, so the Phuket Sandbox project can continue as planned.

However, back-up plans have been prepared to handle the spread of the outbreak. The reopening will happen with conditions. It can be adjusted  if the number of new Covid-19 infections increases more than 90 cases per week in Phuket or the outbreak spreads to all three districts and more than six sub-districts or there are more than three clusters of Covid-19 infections.

If any situation occurs, tourism activities can be reduced and the sealed route model and hotel quarantine will be implemented.  The last measure is to revise the reopening plan or cancel it, he said.

When considering the Covid-19 case count in Sarat Thani, it is possible to adopt the reopening model on three islands – Samui, Pha-ngan and Tao in Surat Thani, he added. (TNA)



COVID Bed Concern in Bangkok as Covid Cases Rise. TNA

COVID Bed Concern in Bangkok as Covid Cases Rise

22 June 2021 16:46

BANGKOK, June 22 (TNA) – The Department of Medical Services expressed its concern about available hospital beds for COVID-19 patients in Bangkok, especially seriously ill ones, vacant beds for whom were slightly available.

Dr Somsak Akasilp, director-general of the department, said daily new COVID-19 cases in Greater Bangkok had exceeded 1,000 for over two months and thus their bed demand was rising, especially regarding beds for red-coded patients dependent on ventilators and yellow patients who had moderate symptoms or needed special care.

On June 21, 409 red patients were at public hospitals and about 20 beds were available for people with this degree of illness. Meanwhile, 3,937 patients of the yellow group were at hospitals and only about 300 vacant beds remained available for them.

As daily new COVID-19 cases were rising steadily, hospital admissions via the hotline number 1688 were slow. Concerned parties were trying to provide COVID-19 patients with treatment as soon as they could, Dr Somsak said. (TNA) 

Open letter to the Nordic Prime Ministers. SSS



Dear Nordic Prime Ministers   The Nordic community in Thailand is in severe danger from the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Scandinavian Society Siam is appealing to you – as you appealed to us during the 2004 tsunami disaster – for immediate help to our fellow citizens. This time it is not the need for shelter, food, and or search for missing Nordic citizens, but the need for vaccines to prevent Covid-19 from causing more fatalities and more havoc among the Nordic citizens in Thailand. The official vaccination program in Thailand does not include foreigners, neither elderly nor those with underlying diseases unless they are in possession of a work-permit, and the many retired Nordic persons are therefore left in frustrating danger till, at best, October or, at worse, infinitely. Our plea is Nordic cooperation to try to pave the way for the availability of vaccines for the Nordic citizens, while the Scandinavian Society Siam provides resources for planning and implementation in cooperation with the Nordic Chambers of Commerce, and the Nordic Church communities in Thailand, while private hospitals in Thailand could administer vaccinations at a reasonable low price. Yours sincerely Scandinavian Society Siam Association PS! Recently the French embassy has revealed plans for vaccinating French citizens in Thailand:  https://th.ambafrance.org/Message-de-M-Thierry-Mathou-ambassadeur-de-France-en-Thailande

This email is being sent to Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven  Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir The Nordic embassies and the Icelandic consulate Nordic press agencies Members, friends, and partners of the Scandinavian Society Siam.



Physicians warn of 4th wave risk if country reopened in 120 days. The RCPT suggested the following approach to the government. The Nation

Physicians warn of 4th wave risk if country reopened in 120 days

The Royal College of Physicians of Thailand (RCPT) on Monday warned the government that its decision to reopen the country within 120 days may lead to the fourth Covid-19 wave and virus mutation.

The RCPT suggested the following approach to the government:

1. The government must launch measures that lead to effective disease control. They have to cooperate with all sectors in order to bring the situation under control and restore confidence among citizens and tourists. Most importantly, they should not announce long holidays because it may cause the virus to spread, similar to the Songkran holidays.

2. Proactive tests must be conducted nationwide, especially in areas where a Covid-19 cluster emerges, factories, fresh markets and worker camps. They must use area restriction measure once the Covid-19 cases were found, so as to contain the spread as soon as possible.

3. The law must be strictly enforced to contain the spread of the disease, especially on those sneaking into the country, gambling, having gatherings, holding rallies and travelling.

4. The government must procure Covid-19 vaccines to meet demand and prevent the spread of Covid-19 variants that may affect the efficacy of current vaccines. Also, they should have transparency on vaccine distribution.

5. The government must prepare measures for foreign tourists, prioritising disease control than stimulating the economy, so as to ensure that the country's reopening will not lead to the fourth Covid-19 wave.

6. The government must review the appropriateness before reopening the country based on the situation at home and abroad, the number of vaccinated Thais, the spread of Covid-19 variants and readiness of the public health system.

Published : June 22, 2021