Thailand’s Aug. Worst-Case Scenario Now Sept. Best-Case Covid-19 Hope. CCSA predicts 45,000 cases, 500 deaths daily by Sept. 7 with current lockdown, vaccination rate. Now, 30,000 cases a day seems a given before the end of August. Bangkok Herald

Thailand's Aug. Worst-Case Scenario Now Sept. Best-Case Covid-19 Hope

14 August 2021

Thailand's worst-case scenario on Aug. 1 is now its best-case hope for September as the public continues to flout a partial coronavirus lockdown amid a sluggish vaccination rollout.

The quasi-lockdown in 29 provinces, which includes at 9 p.m.-4 a.m. curfew, the closure of most non-essential businesses, suspension of interprovincial airline, bus and train services and a plea to remain home during daylight hours, has only reduced transmission of the coronavirus by 20 percent since it was imposed July 12 in metropolitan Bangkok and the Deep South, the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration said at a news briefing Friday.

While the lockdown – which was expanded to 20 other provinces in the weeks since – has failed to arrest the rise in daily cases, it has slowed their rise, said CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin. Models show that, without any mitigation, the virus would infect up to 70,000 people and kill 800 a day by Sept. 7.

If the restrictions continue to be 20 percent effective, he said, the first week of September will see 45,000 daily cases a day, along with 500 deaths.

Tragically, 40,000 daily cases was the "worst-case" scenario laid out by the CCSA on July 31. That briefing, where officials pleaded with people to take the calamitous third wave more seriously, predicted 500 daily deaths by September. If people complied strictly with the lockdown, Taweeslip said two weeks ago, daily cases by mid-September should only reach 30,000.

Now, 30,000 cases a day seems a given before the end of August. The Public Health Ministry on Saturday reported 22,086 cases and 217 deaths, a day after recording 23,418 cases and 184 deaths.

Another coffined body of a Covid-19 victim is removed from a Bangkok hospital this week.

It's increasingly obvious the government should have gone full-tilt lockdown from the outset of the third wave in April, which would have stopped the outbreak in its tracks but only crippled the country for weeks, instead of months.

Instead, the government on Monday will meet again to decide whether its semi-lockdown needs to be tightened incrementally again.

If people continue to travel needlessly during the day, host drinking parties at home and throw lock-in parties at shuttered bars and restaurants, perhaps a solid, enforced, all-day stay-at-home order is needed. After all, the CCSA said that if the current restrictions had been just 5 percent more effective at reducing transmission, daily cases would have stayed below 20,000 and deaths under 200.

On the other hand, more than four months of incrementally tigher restrictions have caused catastrophic damage to both the national economy and nearly every individual's personal finances and/or mental health. Four consecutive days of street protests stand testament to Thais' loss of patience with the government's incompetent management of the Covid-19 epidemic. And the weak compliance to current restrictions illustrates the extent of the country's pandemic fatigue.

So, unbelievably, the CCSA is considering actually easing restrictions, but only to stores selling information technology and and communication devices, general merchandise and household electrical appliances to reopen inside shopping malls.

Lockdown, however, is not the cure to flattening the curve, let alone ending the epidemic. For that, 85 percent of the population – not 70 percent as is often stated – must be vaccinated against Covid-19.

That goal is a pipedream and one not reached by any country in the world right now. Especially since only 7 percent of Thais and expats are fully vaccinated. While the country did post three days this week of more than a half-million doses administered, the pace slows to a crawl on weekends and the kingdom's copious number of holidays.

As a result, the delta variant, which is now the dominant coronavirus strain in Thailand, continues to ravage the population. Taweeslip said that, since April 1, 185 pregnant women became infected with Covid-19 of whom 28 died. More than 350 public-transport drivers have been infected since May 1 and, of those, 104 died.

He urged those who have not yet been vaccinated to get a shot as soon as possible, a laughable suggestion when there is nowhere near enough doses to go around.

"If we work together more closely, we can flatten the curve of infections," Taweeslip said.

Curbs 'needed' to flatten curve. The government will decide on Monday whether to extend lockdown measures further as daily infections continue to soar, with an estimated 60,000–70,000 new daily cases predicted for next month unless curbs stay in place. Bangkok Post

Curbs 'needed' to flatten curve

The government will decide on Monday whether to extend lockdown measures further as daily infections continue to soar, with an estimated 60,000–70,000 new daily cases predicted for next month unless curbs stay in place.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, will also meet on the same day to discuss whether to ease some Covid-19 restrictions to allow some essential businesses to reopen on the premises of department stores.

The government previously extended lockdown and curfew measures in Bangkok and 28 other dark-red provinces for two more weeks from Aug 3 to Wednesday. The government will evaluate the situation and decide whether to further extend restrictions.

CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin yesterday said the CCSA's operations centre and the Department of Disease Control have predicted that Covid-19 infections and deaths would increase next month.

Without lockdown measures in place, the number of daily infections is expected to reach 60,000-70,000 with more than 800 daily fatalities, Dr Tawee­silp said.

But if the lockdown measures are at an efficiency rate of 20% as they are now, the number of daily infections will be about 45,000 with about 500 daily fatalities, he said.

If the lockdown achieves an efficiency rate of 25% for two months along with efforts to step up vaccinations for the elderly, people with seven types of underlying health conditions and pregnant women, the number of daily infections will be at about 20,000 with less than 200 deaths per day, Dr Taweesilp said.

"If we work together more closely, we can flatten the curve of infections," he said.

Dr Taweesilp went on to say that between April 1 and Aug 11, a total of 185 pregnant women became infected with Covid-19 and another 28 died as a result of the infection. Most of them did not receive vaccines, he added.

Between May 1 and Aug 12, infections were detected among 353 public transport drivers and another 104 deaths were reported, Dr Taweesilp said.

He urged those who have not yet received jabs to get their shots straight away because vaccines can prevent the worst effects of Covid-19, including death.

The spokesman said the CCSA has acknowledged a request by the Thai Shopping Centre Association, which is asking the government to ease Covid-19 curbs to allow four types of businesses to reopen on the premises of shopping malls and department stores.

The CCSA has been aware of the plight of people and businesses affected by the tough lockdown measures, he said.

The matter will be decided by the CCSA on Monday, Dr Taweesilp said.

These businesses comprise banks and financial institutions, shops selling IT and communication devices, general stores and shops selling household electrical appliances.

The Public Health Ministry yesterday reported a record 23,418 Covid-19 cases, and 184 deaths, over the previous 24 hours.

There were nine new imported cases -- three each from Myanmar and Malaysia, two from the United Arab Emirates and one from Iraq.

Over the previous 24 hours, 20,083 Covid-19 patients were discharged from hospitals.

The CCSA said that Bangkok had the largest number of daily fatalities with 71, followed by Samut Sakhon with 16 and Samut Prakan with 12. The rest was reported in 27 other provinces.

The capital also led with new infections with 5,140 cases, followed by Samut Prakan (1,936), Samut Sakhon (1,847) and Chon Buri (1,408).

Dr Taweesilp said that the new record of infections in Bangkok was the result of proactive mass testing and rapid testing in communities.

Those who are at risk should isolate themselves from their families and communities and get testing as quickly as possible, he said.

He added that three new clusters of Covid-19 infections were reported in Samut Sakhon -- 16 cases detected at a can-manufacturing factory; 14 at a furniture-manufacturing factory; and nine at a textile factory.

🔴 #COVID19 Update on Saturday: 22,086 new cases and 217 deaths. 10 Aug: 19,843 - 235 dead 11 Aug: 21,038 - 207 dead 12 Aug: 22,782 - 147 dead 13 Aug: 23,418 - 184 dead. Richard Barrow



Bangkok Post highlights 14/8



BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand could see coronavirus cases double to 45,000 per day by early next month, even with current lockdown measures in place, its COVID-19 taskforce said on Friday, as authorities urged people to stay home to reduce infection risks.

FILE PHOTO: People queue at the Central Vaccination Center as Thailand opens walk-in for first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccination scheme for elders, people with a minimum weight of 100 kilograms and pregnant women amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Bangkok, Thailand, July 26, 2021. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun/File Photo

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand could see coronavirus cases double to 45,000 per day by early next month, even with current lockdown measures in place, its COVID-19 taskforce said on Friday, as authorities urged people to stay home to reduce infection risks.

 

Thailand has been struggling with its worst outbreak so far, with a daily average of 20,000 new infections and 180 deaths in the past week, compared to 70 new cases and single-digit daily fatalities less than five months ago.

 

Current travel restrictions and containment measures in place over the past month have yet to make an impact, the taskforce said.

 

A record 23,418 new cases were announced on Friday, taking overall cases to 863,189, with 7,126 deaths.

 

"The lockdown has been 20% effective but the infections continue to rise, projected to reach about 45,000 cases per day by the start of or mid September," spokesman Taweesin Wisanuyothin told a news conference.

 

Citing health ministry projections, he said that if the lockdown could be 5% more effective and target groups vaccinated faster, there might still be 20,000 cases per day in two months.

 

Thailand successfully contained the coronavirus for most of last year but the latest wave, fueled by highly contagious Alpha and Delta variants, has hit the country badly, at a time when the vaccination rate remains low.

 

The contagion has piled pressure on health services in the capital Bangkok, which saw a record 5,140 new infections on Friday. Some 129,000 patients have been sent back to their provinces since July to try to ease the burden on Bangkok beds, Taweesin said.

 

The prime minister will meet the taskforce on Monday and could adjust measures to fight the virus, he added.

 

NU VERKAR MAN TA TILL MINSTA HALMSTRÅ…..: Pilot plant to make tobacco-based vaccine launched in Bangkok. Bangkok Post

Pilot plant to make tobacco-based vaccine launched in Bangkok

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Friday inspected a pilot production facility for a plant-based Covid-19 vaccine at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.

The plant-based vaccine project is a collaboration between Chulalongkorn University and Baiya Phytopharm Ltd. It uses a subunit protein extracted from tobacco leaves to mimic Covid-19 and trigger an immune response in recipients.

The project launched in February 2020 and has since produced successful results in rats and monkeys.

Pilot plant to make tobacco-based vaccine launched in Bangkok

"The Public Health Ministry and National Vaccine Institute have handed a budget of 160 million baht to Chula and Baiya to establish a pilot plant to produce plant-based vaccines and biologics by transforming the 11th floor of Chulaphat 14 building [at Chula] into a 1,200 square metre manufacturing facility," said Anutin.

"The Food and Drug Administration also helped in improving the vaccine manufacturing process. We expect phase one of human trials to start next month on 100 volunteers."

Anutin said that if the trial is successful, the plant could start manufacturing Covid-19 vaccine in the third quarter of 2022 at up to 5 million doses per month, or 60 million doses per year.

"The advantage of plant-based vaccine is that it can be modified and improved to tackle new variants of the virus," he added. "Currently we have researched up to 10 variants of Covid-19. In the future we could improve the formula in the same way as influenza vaccine, to protect against various strains with just one dose."

CHON BURI: The daily Covid-19 toll shows no sign of waning in this eastern province, with 11 more deaths and 1,408 new infections reported on Friday. New cases have topped 1,000 for 14 consecutive days. Bangkok Post

Chon Buri's daily Covid toll remains above 1,000 cases

This community isolation centre in Si Racha district, Chon Buri, was opened on Aug 9 for Covid-19 infected people in the green group, those with mild symptoms. (Photo:@Pr.Srirachacity Facebook page)

CHON BURI: The daily Covid-19 toll shows no sign of waning in this eastern province, with 11 more deaths and 1,408 new infections reported on Friday. New cases have topped 1,000 for 14 consecutive days.

The 1,408 new infections brought the provincial total to 43,102 cases of which 22,665 have already recovered, with 886 discharged over the past 24 hours. A total of 20,665 patients were still in hospitals.

The latest 11 fatalities brought the total to 222, the Chon Buri public health office said in an update posted on its Facebook page on Friday.

Of the new infections, 312 caught the virus from other family members and 193 from colleagues. Another 18 people had come into contact with infected people close to them.

Thirty-two cases were from four clusters – Ge Mao Rubber International (Thailand) Co in Phan Thong district (10), Chicony Electronics (Thailand) Co in Muang district (8), Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co in Si Racha district (8) and Molten (Thailand) Co in Si Racha (6).

Another 44 were in at risk occupations, 4 were medical workers, and 16 were from workplaces in Rayong province.  

Another 180 people came into contact with other confirmed cases and were still under disease investigation. The remaining 609 were being investigated, the provincial public health office said.

Si Racha district had the highest number of new cases (369), followed by Muang district (352), Bang Lamung (249), Phan Thong (125) and Ban Bung (124). The remaining cases were in other districts.

From July 31 to Aug 13, Chon Buri reported 1,062, 1,147, 1,141, 1,359, 1,678, 1,312, 1,325, 1,417, 1,476, 1,318, 1,005, 1,368, 1,666, and 1,408, respectively, according to the provincial public health office Facebook.



Bangkok Hospital #Pattaya has announced a new policy. Regardless what you are getting done you have to take a covid test first before being admitted. This includes even for your caregiver if you have one.



The Thai Hotels Association is urging the government to come up with measures to promote domestic tourism, because it is unsure that the plan, earlier announced by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to reopen Thailand to foreign visitors by mid-October, will be achieved, as the country is battling its worst COVID-19 outbreak yet with new highs set each day. Thai PBS World :

Domestic tourism urged to be promoted as backup plan to overseas arrivals

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The Thai Hotels Association is urging the government to come up with measures to promote domestic tourism, because it is unsure that the plan, earlier announced by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to reopen Thailand to foreign visitors by mid-October, will be achieved, as the country is battling its worst COVID-19 outbreak yet with new highs set each day.

The association's president, Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, said that, although the government is determined to meet its target, it should have a Plan B to promote domestic tourism, such as state agencies holding conferences or seminars in hotels.

She claimed that up to 20% of hotels have already closed permanently, while about half of the remaining establishments have temporarily suspended operations due to poor cash flow and lack of revenue.

Citing the opinion survey, conducted by the association and the Bank of Thailand last month among 304 hotels about their confidence in business prospects, 60% of hotel proprietors, which are still in operation, said that they are facing cash flow problems, with the majority saying that their cash flow will last three months at most and the rest just one month.

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, meanwhile, insisted that the government will press ahead with its plan, using the Phuket "sandbox" scheme as the model, which will be expanded to other tourist destinations, such as Samui, Krabi and Phang-nga provinces, staring August 22^nd.

He expects that, by October, when about 70% of the Thai population is expected to have been inoculated, 10 more provinces can reopen to foreign visitors, adding that the number of foreign arrivals for the whole year has been adjusted down to one million, from three million.

If the COVID-19 pandemic can be contained in the next 2 months, Mr. Phiphat said he believes countries, such as the United States, France and Israel, will lift their advisories warning against visiting Thailand.

Phuket has the highest rate of COVID-19 vaccination in the country, but a surge in infections on the island over the past month has prompted the local authorities to seal off the resort island from domestic visits, while the "sandbox" in which fully vaccinated COVID-negative foreign tourists and Thai returnees are welcome without entering a quarantine from July 1st – considered as the first phase of Thailand's reopening, is still proceeding.

Thailand consumes nearly a million Favipiravir tablets per day. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said yesterday that the ministry has assigned the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) to import more Favipiravir tablets, to accommodate the surge in demand. PBS World

Thailand consumes nearly a million Favipiravir tablets per day

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Nearly one million tablets of the Favipiravir antiviral drug are being consumed per day by COVID-19 patients in Thailand, according to the Public Health Ministry, as new records of infections are being set daily, with new high of 23,418 cases reported today (Friday).

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said yesterday that the ministry has assigned the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) to import more Favipiravir tablets, to accommodate the surge in demand.

Thailand currently has 15 million tablets of the drug in stock. 120 million tablets are to be delivered in August and September, while 100 million more tablets are scheduled to arrive between October and December, he said.

The GPO will locally produce 5 million tablets each month and will temporarily halt the production of other drugs which are not necessary at this time, to increase the production of Favipiravir to 30 million tablets per month.

Mr. Anutin also said that a special committee has been set up to handle the acquisition, allocation and production of Favipiravir. The drug will also be delivered to other provinces every 2-3 days. So far, he said that there have been no reports of drug shortage.

Favipiravir is an anti-viral drug first used to treat influenza in Japan and is now used to treat COVID-19 patients.

Meanwhile, Thailand's COVID-19 infections continue to rise, with over 20,000 cases being reported for three consecutive days, despite the imposition of partial lockdown measures in 29 provinces.

184 more COVID-19 related deaths have also been reported over the past 24 hours, while more than 212,000 people across the country are being treated for the disease.

More deaths among people aged 60 and over and those with any of the seven specified non-communicable diseases have also been found, according to the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 1,408 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with eleven new deaths, August 13th. Pattaya News

Chonburi announces 1,408 new Covid -19 cases with 11 deaths

Friday, 13 August 2021, 9:39

Chonburi –

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 1,408 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with eleven new deaths, August 13th.

This makes a total of 43,102 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 20,215 people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 222 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April. The details on yesterday's eleven new deaths were not given, which is standard for the health department.

Additionally, 886 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 22,665 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 352, Si Racha 369, Banglamung (Pattaya) 249, Panat Nikhom 81, Ban Bueang 124, Pan Thong 125, Bor Thong 18, Ko Chan 18, Nong Yai 20, and 52 new cases transferred from other provinces for medical care.

The details on the cases are as follows:

1. Cluster, Ge Mao Rubber International (Thailand) Co., Ltd. in Pan Thong, 10 cases
2. Cluster,Chicony Electronics Thailand Co.,Ltd. in Mueang Chonburi 8 cases
3. Cluster, Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand), Co. Ltd. in Si Racha, 8 cases
4. Cluster, Molten (Thailand) Co., Ltd. in Si Racha, 6 cases
5. A risky occupation, meeting a large number of people, 44 cases
6. 4 medical personnel
7. Many enterprises in Rayong Province, 16 cases
8. Close contact of confirmed patients in families – 312 cases, , in workplaces – 193 cases, and close people in general – 18 cases
9. Close contacts (under investigation) – 180 cases
10. 609 cases are under investigation in general

A total of 1,652 close contact searches were received today with 1,328 initial proactive searches, and more proactive search reports are pending.

There are currently, in Chonburi, clusters of Covid-19 at 21 establishments and five markets, 10 construction worker camps, and four communities. TPN media notes that this cluster information appears to be outdated but is what was provided by authorities.

FICK DENNA INFORMATION IDAG FRÅN EN TROVÄRDIG KONTAKT: ”Tide Resort, The Sez, Bangsaen Villa and other hotels in Bangsaen are being used as Hospitel for those green n light yellow with + of Covid amd asymptomatic typo, some are PUI waiting for result and some are being isolated .... mostly from companies Amata Nakhon factories”











Thailand's Covid-19 infection numbers are likely "much higher". Thailand has been seeing record Covid-19 numbers in August with daily infection totals regularly topping 20,000 cases per day. However, according to a senior advisor to the Ministry of Public Health, the number of daily infections is likely much higher than those officially recorded by the government. Thai Enquirer



Thailand's Covid-19 infection numbers are likely "much higher"

August 13, 2021

Thailand's Covid-19 infection numbers are likely much higher than those being reported by the government, a senior advisor to the Ministry of Public Health told Thai Enquirer on Friday.

Thailand has been seeing record Covid-19 numbers in August with daily infection totals regularly topping 20,000 cases per day.

However, according to a senior advisor to the Ministry of Public Health, the number of daily infections is likely much higher than those officially recorded by the government.

"I think the infection totals you see reported every day are likely the peak number that we can expect given our testing capacity," said the advisor who asked not to be named. "The majority of those [numbers] are people who come in to get tested, there is no mass testing program in the communities."

"If you account for asymptomatic patients who likely don't know they have Covid not mention those who can't even get tested because of full capacity, the number is likely much higher," he said.

Even with 20,000 cases a day, Thailand's health care system has been pushed to the brink with hospitals overflowing and morgues having to rent refrigerated trucks. (Read more here)

"The only thing that will mitigate this crisis is to complete our vaccination program. Even then, we will have to learn to live with Covid-19 because this disease will not go away even among the fully vaccinated," the advisor said.

ASEAN UPDATE 12/8

🔴 #COVID19 Update on Friday: 23,418 new cases and 184 deaths. 10 Aug: 19,843 - 235 dead 11 Aug: 21,038 - 207 dead 12 Aug: 22,782 - 147 dead. Richard Barrow



Bangkok Post highlights 13/8



Thai doctor warns of 100 dangerous days. A STRONG warning was issued by a senior Thai doctor that the next hundred days are dangerous with the number of infections and deaths caused by the Delta Covid-19 variant continuing to rise regardless of how stringent the lockdown may be, Amarin TV said today (August 12). Thai Newsroom

Thai doctor warns of 100 dangerous days

August 12, 2021  TNR Staff

A STRONG warning was issued by a senior Thai doctor that the next hundred days are dangerous with the number of infections and deaths caused by the Delta Covid-19 variant continuing to rise regardless of how stringent the lockdown may be, Amarin TV said today (August 12).

Dr. Manoon Leechawengwong, Vichaiyut Hospital's head of ICU specialising in respiratory diseases, said in a Facebook post that lockdown measures cannot stop infection at home, with the home being the key place where this infection spreads.

For this reason the lockdown should be eased before the economy is further damaged.

He added that over the next hundred days the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Thailand could increase to 35 million people, or half of the country's population, with an additional 30,000 people likely to die.

So far 16 million people here have been vaccinated with the first dose of one of the vaccines, but 40-45 million have not. 

Dr. Manoon called for vaccinating 500,000 people a day with the first jab and putting off second jabs till more vaccines are available.

Information from AstraZeneca Corporate Communications Department states that just one dose of its vaccine is highly effective in reducing hospital admissions and death. Data from Canada shows that one dose of the vaccine prevented 87% of deaths caused by the Delta strain and 90% by the Alpha variant.

The major problem Thailand is facing right now is a severe shortage of vaccines, Dr. Manoon said, adding that he wrote a Facebook post on July 2 urging the government to negotiate with AstraZeneca to deliver pre-ordered vaccine doses sooner.

He agreed with  Dr. Prasert Euawarakul, of Siriraj Hospital Mahidol University's Faculty of Medicine, that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha should use his powers under the Vaccine Security Act to temporarily halt the export of AstraZeneca vaccine produced at Siam Bioscience Co., Ltd. to other countries.

Currently, Siam Bioscience has a production capacity of approximately 10-15 million doses of this vaccine per month.

An export ban will lead to Thailand having 30-45 million doses of the vaccine over the next three months and will help reduce hospitalisation and deaths by more than 80%, he said, while also pointing out that vaccination will not reduce the number of infections.

An export ban would have a temporary impact on other regional countries as availability of AstraZeneca would be reduced in the short term, but Dr. Manoon believes that these other countries would do the same if they faced the severe Delta variant Covid crisis Thailand is currently doing so.



Vaccination update. ASEAN NOW

 

Pattaya-Koh Larn resort island shuts down for 3rd time. Koh Larn’s open-again, closed-again revolving door is once again closed, with the Pattaya resort island once again shutting down amid a Covid-19 outbreak, despite being 70 percent vaccinated and accepting only visitors who got their jabs. The closure announcement came Aug. 9 after six island residents tested positive for the coronavirus. It’s unknown if they were partly or fully vaccinated, although Pattaya City Hall has claimed 70 percent of the island’s small population is. Pattaya Mail

Pattaya-Koh Larn resort island shuts down for 3rd time

Pattaya MailAugust 12, 2021

Koh Larn, the Pattaya resort island is once again shutting down amid a Covid-19 outbreak.

Koh Larn's open-again, closed-again revolving door is once again closed, with the Pattaya resort island once again shutting down amid a Covid-19 outbreak, despite being 70 percent vaccinated and accepting only visitors who got their jabs.

The closure announcement came Aug. 9 after six island residents tested positive for the coronavirus. It's unknown if they were partly or fully vaccinated, although Pattaya City Hall has claimed 70 percent of the island's small population is.



The closure is expected to come into effect this week and last for two weeks. As before, ferry trips will be curtailed and no non-residents will be allowed in. Food and supply deliveries will be left at the island's main pier.

This marks the third time Koh Larn has shut itself off from the world, each time inflicting tremendous economic harm on residents who derive all their income from the mainland.

HANS ”LÖFTEN” HAR INTE FUNGERAT TIDIGARE. HOPPAS ATT DET LIGGER NÅGOT I DET DENNA GÅNG: Thailand will have over 32 million doses of Pfizer jabs before yearend, promises Anutin

Thailand will have over 32 million doses of Pfizer jabs before yearend, promises Anutin

Thailand will receive 32.5 million doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine within the fourth quarter of this year, the Public Health Ministry announced on Wednesday.

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the ministry had placed an order for 20 million doses with Pfizer as part of its vaccine procurement plan. In addition, he said, Pfizer has also offered to send another 10 million doses to the country within this year.

"This, combined with the 2.5 million doses donated by the US – 1.5 million doses of which have already been delivered – will bring the total of Pfizer vaccines up to 32.5 million doses," Anutin said.

He also confirmed that the ministry had distributed Pfizer doses to frontline medics without any double standards and vowed to complete the vaccination process as soon as possible.

Earlier on Wednesday, Dr Tossaporn Serirak, as a representative of the public, called on the Public Health Ministry to be transparent with the distribution of Pfizer doses.

The move came after many frontline personnel, such as rescue volunteers, garbage collectors and undertakers complained saying that back-office personnel received their jabs first.

Dr Tossaporn also called on the ministry to review the allocation of 40,000 Pfizer doses to foreigners and Thais who want to travel overseas. He said this violating the US donation's actual aim to vaccinate vulnerable groups first. 

The Chonburi Governor, Phakkhrathon Thianchai, has announced last night (August 11th) the temporary closure of several companies, a construction site, worker camps, and dormitories in Ban Bueng, Si Racha, and the Chonburi area. Pattaya News

Chonburi Governor orders more Covid-19 related temporary targeted closures: Several companies, a construction site, worker camps, and dormitories

Thursday, 12 August 2021, 13:26

Chonburi –

The Chonburi Governor, Phakkhrathon Thianchai, has announced last night (August 11^th) the temporary closure of several companies, a construction site, worker camps, and dormitories in Ban Bueng, Si Racha, and the Chonburi area.

The order was posted by the Chonburi Public Relations office last night. The orders conclude, "Many Covid -19 confirmed cases were being found at companies, worker camps, a construction site and dormitories in the Ban Bueng, Si Racha and Mueang Chonburi area."

"In order to control the spread of the virus, the Chonburi communicable disease committee has ordered the following temporary closure of the places below."

"1. Jet Industries (Thailand) Co., Ltd. in Pan Thong from August 11th to August 24th."

"2.Siam Conan Co., Ltd. in Ban Bueng from August 12th to August 14th."

"3.Wattanachai Rubber Mate Co., Ltd. and dormitories in Nong Maidang, Mueang Chonburi from August 11th to Spetember 7th."

"4. A worker camp and construction site of Thai oil of ITL Co.,Ltd. in Thung Sukhala, Si Racha from August 11th to September 8th."

"5. OTR Wheel Engineering (Thailand) Co., Ltd in Nong Bondang, Ban Bueng from August 13th to September 7th."

"Any necessary reasons to enter or exit must have permission from a Chonburi Public Health Official. Owners and operators must strictly follow the orders."

The order takes effect immediately. 

Officials say mass testing and isolating in next 2 weeks could flatten Covid-19 curve | “What we gathered from launching the tests shows the transmission in Bangkok remains a serious concern. It tells us there are still many people sick with Covid-19 and who have no access to testing. We need to press on with mass testing.” The Thaiger

Officials say mass testing and isolating in next 2 weeks could flatten Covid-19 curve

By 

Maya Taylor

Thursday, August 12, 2021 09:43

Health officials are hopeful that mass testing and isolating over the next 2 weeks could bring down Covid-19 infections in Bangkok. Dr Yongyot Thammawut from the Public Health Ministry says 41 teams of 400 doctors and other healthcare workers have been carrying out mass testing in the capital and other central provinces since the start of the month.

Yongyot says the Comprehensive Covid-19 Response teams who carried out the testing did so across 100 communities, including condominiums and crowded locations, in areas with high infection rates.

"What we gathered from launching the tests shows the transmission in Bangkok remains a serious concern. It tells us there are still many people sick with Covid-19 and who have no access to testing. We need to press on with mass testing."

According to a Bangkok Post report, out of 141,516 people who were tested using antigen test kits, 15,588 were found to be infected, but this number dropped to 15,074 when PCR tests were used. 69% of those who tested positive were asymptomatic or showed only minor symptoms, while 4,427 had moderate symptoms. 323 patients had severe symptoms.

Yongyot believes that if mass testing and isolating can continue in the capital over the next 2 weeks, the Covid-19 curve could begin to flatten. Patients will be taken for treatment and isolated from others, thereby reducing the spread of the virus and potential fatalities.

Today, Thailand reported another 22,782 new infections and 147 deaths.