Details of today’s (25/7) Covid19. NBT



Three villages around a frozen poultry plant in Bung Samphan district of Phetchabun province have been locked down after 19 villagers and more than half of the 6,500 plus workers at there tested positive for COVID-19. PBS World

3 villages near poultry plant in Phetchabun locked down as 3,000 workers found infected with COVID-19

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Three villages around a frozen poultry plant in Bung Samphan district of Phetchabun province have been locked down after 19 villagers and more than half of the 6,500 plus workers at there tested positive for COVID-19.

Active screening of 6,587 workers was completed yesterday, with results showing that 372 Thais and 2,805 foreign migrant workers are infected with COVID-19.
Health officials also tested 115 villagers and found 19 were infected. More villagers in Ban Nong Prong, Ban Lam Takhro and Ban Lam Takhro Nua are being tested today.

Vaccination will commence on Monday of the elderly and people deemed as being frail who tested negative.

The factory, Golden Line Business, which is owned by Saha Farms Company, has been locked down, initially for 14 days, which can be extended if the situation warrants. 

ALLT ÄR INTE BARA ELÄNDE : The Commerce Ministry reports that exports in June grew at the highest rate for 11 years, as global demand increased, and that this trend is expected to continue. NNT

 The Commerce Ministry reports that exports in June grew at the highest rate for 11 years, as global demand increased, and that this trend is expected to continue.

Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanavisit said exports rose by a stronger than expected 43.82% in June, compared to a year earlier, beating the forecast rise of 39% in a Reuters poll, and against May's 41.6% increase.

He said exports will continue to drive the economy in the second half of the year, but there may be obstacles that need to be tackled by the public and private sectors, citing factory closures and labor shortages, caused by the outbreak, as being among the negative factors.

Mr. Jurin added that the Commerce Ministry will seek government support, including more vaccinations, for the manufacturing sector, to maintain export orders and to meet global demand. Exports have been the only bright spot as the Thai economy struggles with its worst coronavirus outbreak to date and the collapse of tourism.

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced a record-breaking high of 795 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with two new deaths, July 25th. Sunday, 25 July 2021, 10:21. Pattaya News

Chonburi announces record-breaking high of 795 cases of Covid-19

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced a record-breaking high of 795 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with two new deaths, July 25th.

Sunday, 25 July 2021, 10:21

Chonburi –

This new high comes despite strict rules and restrictions that have seemed to be tightened nearly daily, such as closures of dine-in restaurants, entertainment, beaches, pools, parks, massage, malls, an overnight curfew, gyms, outdoor sports and stadiums, a ban on gatherings of more than 5 people, checkpoints, shutdowns of buses and most domestic flights, a ban on any gatherings around alcohol/parties, playgrounds, non-essential areas at markets and department stores, and more.

Despite all the restrictions, some prominent doctors and even WHO (World Health Organization)advisors have been calling for even more restrictions stating it is the only way to get the current infections, spurred by the so-called Delta variant, under control.

298 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi.

This makes a total of 19,909 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 9,075 still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 96 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April. The details on yesterday's two new deaths were not given, which is standard for the health department.

Additionally, 10,738 people in total have now been released from medical care and recovered in Chonburi since this current wave began.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi 196, Si Racha 182, Banglamung (Pattaya) 231, Panat Nikhom 32, Sattahip 15, Ban Bueang 67, Pan Thong 25, Bor Thong 1, Ko Chan, 4, Nong Yai 7, and 35 new cases transferred from other provinces for medical care.

The details on the cases are as follows:

1. Cluster, 11 people from establishments in Panat Nikhom District
2. Cluster, an establishment in Phanat Nikhom District, 1 person
3. Cluster, 5 from business establishments in Mueang Chon Buri District
4. Cluster, 3 from business establishments in Mueang Chon Buri District
5. Risky occupation, meeting a lot of people- 27 cases
6. 13 medical personnel
7. Central Festival Pattaya Beach Shopping Center 9 cases
8. Traveling to risky areas in Bangkok 1 case
9. Many establishments in Rayong Province 14 cases
10. Close contacts:
10.1 237 family member
10.2 A total of 94 co-workers
10.3 23 close contacts/friends of previous patients who were "mingling"
10.4 A total of 3 people who attended an illegal party with a close contact
11. Close contacts (under investigation) 139 cases
12. 171 cases are under investigation in general
13. Proactive surveillance project at Chonrajasornramrung School site 44 people (The school was the testing location for the community, not the source of the outbreak.)

A total of 1,160 close contact searches were received today with 1,101 initial proactive searches, and more proactive search reports are pending.

There are currently, in Chonburi, clusters of Covid-19 at 15 establishments and five markets, 10 construction worker camps, and four communities.

Chonburi is reportedly working closely with the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) and monitoring the overall situation. There has been no guarantee of more restrictions or measures at this time but TPN media is keeping an eye on the situation for readers.

People are highly interested in efficacy and side-effects of vaccines against Covid-19 while they they are flooded with information on the pandemic and ways of coping with it, according to the result of an opinion survey by the Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, or Suan Dusit Poll. Bangkok Post



Info on vaccine efficacy, side-effects most interesting to people: Suan Dusit Poll

People are highly interested in efficacy and side-effects of vaccines against Covid-19 while they they are flooded with information on the pandemic and ways of coping with it, according to the result of an opinion survey by the Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, or Suan Dusit Poll.

The poll was conducted online during July 19-22 on 1,691 people throughout the country to compile their opinions on the issue.

A large number of respondents, 72.41%, said information on efficacy and side-effects of vaccines against coronavirus was most interesting to them; 71.23% were interested in information on measures taken by the government in high-risk areas; 68.38% on the numbers of hospitals and beds available for patients; 62.49% on methods of treatment and results of studies and researches on the virus; and, 61.25% on how to detect Covid-19 symptoms.

Asked what sources of information they thought were reliable, 65.30% pointed to doctors and medical personnel; 59.75% cited academics, researchers, experts and influencers; and 46.98% mentioned social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Flooded with information, 43.99% said they were confused; 40,75% rather confused; and, 15.26% not confused.

Asked what information made them confused, 74.61% said the government's vaccine management, registration and postponements of vaccination appointments; 73.11% cited cross-vaccine jabs and 3rd booster jabs; 72.23% safety, efficacy and side-effects of vaccines; 66.23% closures of businesses and remedies; and, 55.53% control on people's travel between provinces.

Asked how they responded to information on the pandemic, 90.78%, said they took a better care of themselves; 81.07% took better care of other family members; 79.95% avoided leaving residences or meet other people; 59.84% looked for more information about self-protection; and, 46.82% looked for ways of getting a jab.

The week ahead. - This week, however, we are primarily focusing on one major developing story-potential calls from top doctors and WHO (World Health Organization) officials for even further restrictions in maximum control zones. The Pattaya News

The week ahead: WHO, prominent Thai doctors want stricter restrictions and measures to stop Covid-19 in Thailand, especially in maximum-control zones

The following is our weekly feature in which we take a look at the top developing stories and things to follow over the next week. We are focusing on what is happening for the fifth week of July, ending July 31st, 2021.

Saturday, 24 July 2021, 19:17

Thailand-

As we publish dozens of stories a week, this allows our readers to get a quick glimpse of the most important stories taking place in Thailand and Pattaya and to monitor and follow for the week ahead, as chosen by our editorial team.

  This week, however, we are primarily focusing on one major developing story-potential calls from top doctors and WHO (World Health Organization) officials for even further restrictions in maximum control zones, which includes Chonburi.

Thirteen maximum-control zones are already under strict, some might even call draconian, rules and restrictions with measures such as a mandatory overnight curfew from 9:00 P.M. to 4:00 A.M., a ban on all dine-in at restaurants, a closure of beaches, parks, public areas, outdoor sports fields, and swimming pools, closures of gyms and massage shops, closure of golf courses, cinemas, closures of shopping malls(including restaurants in the malls even for take-away), shutdowns of buses and most domestic flights, closures of many government offices, a ban on all parties and social gatherings, an overall gathering ban of no more than five people, closures of most construction sites, checkpoints around the provinces, closures of amusement parks and water parks, school closures, and even closures of kids playgrounds.

However, several leading figures such as Dr. Richard Brown, from the Health Emergencies program of the WHO Thailand office, Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Thai Disease Control Department, and several leading doctors such as Dr. Thira Woratanarat, as well as advisors with the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), which runs Thailand's Covid-19 response program, have warned that the current restrictions may not be enough.

This comes after only a week of evaluating current restrictions (and even adding more restrictions mid-week) but Thailand continues seeing higher cases and deaths nearly daily, especially in maximum control zones such as Bangkok.

Frustration is high with both the public, who is feeling "strangled" by the restrictions according to some on social media and doctors with the CCSA, who feel there is still too much movement and too many people out and about in the maximum control areas.

Dr. Opas even warned that if things didn't improve within two months Thailand may be forced to a "Wuhan style" total ban on leaving the home and delivery of food and supplies, which did not go over well on social media or with the public, resulting in a slight change of tone and backing down. Regardless, the fact remains that as recently as today, July 24th, 2021, certain prominent doctors and officials, including with the WHO, urge the government to even further tighten restrictions and stop movement, especially in maximum control zones.

Some may wonder what is left to restrict, however, proponents of stricter measures have suggested closing EVERYTHING except food/medicine and essential services like law enforcement and hospitals/vaccination centers. Outside of shopping malls, many places can still open, such as dentists, clothing shops, general stores, home design shops, paint stores, motorbike customization shops, tailors, laundry mats, car washes, and many more that could be considered for restrictions if the government tightens further. Some members of the CCSA, however, like General Natthapol Nakpanich, have simply stated that the government will have to evaluate the current measures and not potentially hurt more small business owners.

Some doctors have reportedly even suggested closing fresh markets, which could be a major issue for many Thais who do nearly all of their shopping at these places versus supermarkets like Big C or Makro. However, some CCSA doctors have continually expressed their concern for markets, often the source of Covid-19 breakouts, but essential to the community for inexpensive food and for the agricultural breadbasket of the Northeast and farmers.

For now, all we can do is keep a careful eye on the week ahead and hope current measures already in place and a vaccination program running in the background begin to make an impact without having to take any more drastic actions.

ASEAN yesterday 24/7. The Nation

 

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plans to open 53 community isolation centers with 6,013 beds, for COVID-19 patients waiting for hospital admission, by early next month. NBT



Infections on upward curve, warns DDC. The number of new Covid-19 infections is on a steep upward curve, doubling or tripling weekly, a Department of Disease Control (DDC) official said on Saturday. Bangkok Post

Infections on upward curve, warns DDC

People form a line to receive food and bottles of water from a donor outside Hua Lamphong station on Wednesday. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)

The number of new Covid-19 infections is on a steep upward curve, doubling or tripling weekly, a Department of Disease Control (DDC) official said on Saturday.

While the infection rate in Bangkok is beginning to level off, cases in the provinces are rising sharply, said Taweesap Siraprapasiri, a senior official with the DDC.

The number of new cases in Bangkok remains high yet the rise has begun to slow down, apparently as a result of measures being implemented to control the spread of the outbreak, he said.

On Saturday a total of 14,575 new infections and 114 deaths were recorded, he said.

Of the 114 new deaths, about half were in the capital and the rest in the surrounding provinces, all in the dark red zone of the outbreak, he said.

Over the past month, the average number of deaths per day has risen from less than 50 to more than 100 in line with the rise in number of new infections, he said.

However, with a slowdown being observed in the increase of new infections in Bangkok, the total number of Covid-19 deaths per day is unlikely to continue growing, he said.

The number of new infections in other countries, including those with between 50% and 60% of their population vaccinated against Covid-19, continues to rise as well, he said.

In the US where about half the population is vaccinated, the number of new Covid-19 cases is rising particularly in states with a low vaccination rate, while in the UK the number of new cases has already risen to about 40,000 per day, he said.

The mortality rate in these countries, however, isn't high, which comes as an indication that Covid-19 deaths result from several factors, he said.

Currently Thailand is capable of administering 300,000 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine per day.

The total number of doses administered has reached 15.3 million so far, with more vaccines set to arrive this week, he said.

Thailand is struggling with soaring Covid-19 infections with more than 14,000 new cases a day. The Public Health Ministry has flagged a tougher lockdown like the one imposed by the Chinese government in Wuhan last year as it mulls how to tackle the fast-spreading Delta variant. Known in Thailand as the "Wuhan model", some sectors are sceptical whether imposing such measures would work here. Bangkok Post

 

No 'one-size fits all' model suited for lockdowns, experts say

Thailand is struggling with soaring Covid-19 infections with more than 14,000 new cases a day. The Public Health Ministry has flagged a tougher lockdown like the one imposed by the Chinese government in Wuhan last year as it mulls how to tackle the fast-spreading Delta variant.

Known in Thailand as the "Wuhan model", some sectors are sceptical whether imposing such measures would work here.

The Bangkok Post talked to acting Chinese Ambassador Yang Xin, Chargé d'Affaires of the Chinese embassy in Thailand, and Assoc Prof Piti Srisangnam, director of academic affairs of the Asean Studies Centre at Chulalongkorn University, about lessons learned from the so-called Wuhan model.

Public support needed

China has received mixed messages from the Wuhan lockdown, according to Mr Yang.

In the early days of the outbreak, infected people were urged to treat themselves at home to save hospital beds for patients with severe symptoms, only to learn that it resulted in family and community transmission, he said.

The local government and Beijing made a U-turn, setting up field hospitals and conducting mass testing to flush out infected people, he said. Mild cases were treated at field hospitals while those needing full intensive care were sent to hospitals.

Lockdown was the most-talked about when the Wuhan-style measures were imposed to handle the outbreak, according to the acting ambassador.

It was a tough call for the Chinese government and a huge quarantine effort with over 10 million people locked in, he said.

The decision made by Beijing and President Xi Jinping to put the city under lockdown came ahead of the travel rush during the Lunar New Year holiday when many feared the virus would spread further.

For lockdown measures to work, first the public must understand what the restrictions are and why they need to cooperate, he said. "People stayed home for almost 100 days. It was not only medical workers who fought the virus, but also the people of Wuhan," he said.

Next, authorities must see to it that people have what they need during lockdown, said Mr Yang. The local government went into action, mobilising resources to deliver supplies to people and arrange transport to ferry patients to hospitals.

When resources were running low, the Chinese government sent in medical supplies and medical workers from other parts of the country. At least 340 teams of 42,600 personnel were sent from other provinces to Hubei.

As the Covid-19 outbreak wreaked havoc on the economy, financial assistance was extended to all sectors affected by the virus curbs, he said.

The financial relief included a debt moratorium and soft loans, offered especially to SMEs and factories which were forced to close. An economic recovery was kickstarted as soon as possible.

Tracing and testing a must-do

According to Mr Yang, the Guangzhou-style measures are more relevant to the current Covid-19 situation and demand a closer look for countries seeking to contain transmission.

China has seen flare-ups of Covid-19 in other parts of the country after the Wuhan outbreak. What it learned from Wuhan is that a timely response is needed when cases emerge, meaning the infected must be isolated and tracing and testing in community implemented speedily.

He said authorities have adopted an approach refined from Wuhan and Guangzhou responses to contain outbreaks when a cluster transmission emerged recently in Nanjing.

Knowing that people can contract the virus not only other people, but also contaminated items or rooms, proactive screening was conducted and seven cleaning staff at Nanjing airport found to be infected. This prompted a halt to flights at the airport and a lockdown of communities where the staff were living. Mass swab testing was conducted at night.

Mr Yang said 17 people have been found infected and the city has ordered city-wide mass testing, meaning that more than 10 million people will be tested.

"From our experience, if we can quickly identify the patients, we can use a localised lockdown and limit impacts on the economy. In Guangzhou, we don't use a sweeping lockdown. We start from one community and move to two and so on to avoid strangling the economy," he said.

'Guangzhou' model more relevant

Pointing out he has yet to hear the details of the Wuhan model from the government, Mr Piti said if Thailand is to find a virus response it should study the measures adopted in Guangzhou where an outbreak was brought under control in three weeks.

The Wuhan outbreak caught everyone off guard with zero information about the virus; at that time the Covid-19 testing technology was not good enough, the Covid-19 vaccines had not come into play and the virus had not yet mutated, he said.

"We should look at the lockdown measures in Guangzhou during May 21-June 15 this year. The outbreak took place after the arrival of the Delta variant, the vaccine rollout and Covid-19 screening technology in China," he said.

In Guangzhou of Guangdong province, only communities with infections were sealed off followed by mass testing around-the-clock for seven consecutive days. Fully vaccinated volunteers made door-to-door visits advising people to get tested for the virus.

Technology like artificial intelligence also played a significant role in the fight against the virus outbreak and enhanced the city's screening capability, according to Mr Piti.

The areas were classified as high, medium or low risk allowing people to know the status of their community and those in the red zone were not allowed to travel except to hospital and had to be tested three to five times a week.

Applications were developed to help people buy products they wanted and the goods were delivered via special channels to keep infection risks at zero. The supply chains remained intact.

Laws were also strictly enforced against those defying the disease containment measures. He said China has succeeded in containing the Wuhan outbreak and other flare-ups due to seven key factors including a timely lockdown, stepped-up vaccination drive and preparedness.

The lockdown measures worked because the move was timely and airtight; the economy has been affected but the virus transmission also curbed. "In Wuhan the lockdown was announced at 2 am and went into action at 10 am. The infections were 571 and 17 deaths. When you want to catch birds or fish, you won't warn them you're coming," he said.

No 'one size fits all' model

China also intensified vaccinations in Guangzhou with targeted lockdowns following the outbreak, according to Mr Piti. Only 30% of the public were vaccinated and the people had lowered their guard as the virus was subdued for almost a year. After the campaign, the percentage of people getting shots against Covid-19 had risen to 60% in three weeks.

"We've heard people saying the Chinese vaccine isn't effective against the variants. But China has long stressed that no matter how many people are inoculated, social distancing must be observed. "The restrictions will be eased only when areas are cleared of infections. That's why the Delta outbreak was brought under control in three weeks. You have to know how to behave," he said.

China has an action plan detailing steps to be taken if the situation worsens, and also a contingency plan to cope with unforeseen circumstances. The public is assured that lockdowns will break the chain and embraces it. "But with all that said, you can't still use the Wuhan or Guangzhou model as a whole in Thailand. Neither you can use the Singapore model or the UK model. The situations vary," he said.

Mr Piti said that if the government wants to apply the Covid-19 restriction measures adopted in China, it needs strong leadership to make it work, an action plan and strong state capacity to sustain the people's livelihood. 

‼️NEW HIGH - #COVID19 Update on Sunday: 15,335 cases & 129 deaths / 20 July: 11,305 - 80 dead 21 July: 13,002 - 108 dead 22 July: 13,655 - 87 dead 23 July: 14,575 - 114 dead 24 July: 14,260 - 119 dead. Richard Barrow





Bangkok Post highlights 25/7



AstraZeneca Plc is "scouring" its global supply chain to try and boost Covid-19 vaccine supplies to Thailand and Southeast Asia, its representative for the country said on Saturday, amidst speculations of local production shortfalls. Thailand has fully inoculated just 5.56% of its population of more than 66 million so far, while 18.62% have received at least one dose, government data shows. Bangkok Post

AstraZeneca seeking more doses for Thailand, Asean

Vials labelled Astra Zeneca Covid-19 Coronavirus Vaccine and a syringe are seen in front of a displayed AstraZeneca logo, in this illustration photo taken March 14 this year. (Reuters photo)

AstraZeneca Plc is "scouring" its global supply chain to try and boost Covid-19 vaccine supplies to Thailand and Southeast Asia, its representative for the country said on Saturday, amidst speculations of local production shortfalls.

The comments come after leaked letters  showed last week that the drugmaker had offered to supply 5-6 million vaccine doses a month to Thailand, contradicting assertions by Thai officials that the government is owed 10 million a month and 61 million doses by the end of 2021.

AstraZeneca is "scouring the 20+ supply chains in our worldwide manufacturing network to find additional vaccines for Southeast Asia, including Thailand", James Teague, managing director of AstraZeneca Thailand, said in a statement.

"We are hopeful of importing additional doses in the months ahead," he added.

The drugmaker had previously said vaccine doses for Thailand and Southeast Asia would come from a plant of its Thai partner Siam Bioscience, owned by His Majesty the King and a first-time vaccine maker.

Pressure has been mounting on the company after Thailand said it was considering imposing limits on exports of locally manufactured AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines to shore up domestic supplies, a move that could hit its neighbours, some of which are battling similar or more severe Covid-19 crises.

Siam Bioscience has not commented on reports of production shortfalls or delivery timelines.

Mr Teague said AstraZeneca has delivered 9 million does so far to Thailand and will deliver 2.3 million more next week.

Thailand has fully inoculated just 5.56% of its population of more than 66 million so far, while 18.62% have received at least one dose, government data shows.