Thai Cabinet Committee agrees upon additional 30 million doses of Pfizer and an in-principle medical amnesty bill
The Thai Cabinet Committee has approved the additional procurement of 30 million doses of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines and the in-principle approval of an amnesty bill of medical personnel during the Covid-19 situation, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri announced this afternoon, August 17th.
Bangkok –
The Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Cha-O'Cha, has approved a 9.37 billion baht loan to procure a total of 20,001,150 doses of Pfizer vaccines.
Another additional 10 million shots of mRNA vaccine procurement doses have also been approved. The cabinet has authorized the Department of Disease Control to proceed with official talks and an agreement contract with Pfizer manufacturers by the end of the fourth quarter.
"So, in total, there would be 30 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine coming in the fourth quarter of this year," Anucha said.
TPN media notes, however, that an exact "set-in-stone" date was not given.
According to the government's plan, the Pfizer vaccine would be distributed to medical frontliners (as a booster dose), Thai and foreign elderly, and people with seven underlying health conditions, and those who must be vaccinated before traveling abroad, such as students/students, athletes, diplomats, etc.
Moreover, the Cabinet Committee has also approved, in principle, the amendment of the Communicable Diseases Act, including adding medical amnesty to manage the Covid-19 pandemic.
The amnesty bill, initially proposed by Public Health Ministry last Monday, would grant medical personnel and related Covid-19 officials legal protection from criminal charges in order to fully allow operations among government officials to cope with the Covid-19 situation.
The bill has become a major concern and critique among opposition parties and anti-government activists as it was not clarified if top-level officials like the Public Health Minister or the Prime Minister would also be granted by this amnesty bill. That was still not clarified as of press time despite repeated questions from the press.
More details of the bill can be found in the article below:
In Bangkok, an army of volunteers fights coronavirus
Buddhist monk Phrompong Kaino puts on personal protective equipment (PPE) to perform coronavirus disease testing in a community near his temple in Bangkok, Aug 4, 2021. (Reuters photo)
Monk Phrompong Kaino, 33, works around the clock providing free COVID-19 swab tests for vulnerable people in high-risk Bangkok communities, part of a project by his temple that has reached more than 2,000 people in just over a month.
He is one of thousands of ordinary people who have pitched in to try to help the country get out of its worst coronavirus crisis to date, which has strained hospitals and health services in the capital.
One in five of those tested by the project Phra Phrompong's temple runs were positive for COVID-19 and were offered care at the temple in community isolation, or found hospital beds.
"Medical teams cannot meet the demand," Phra Phrompong said.
"No matter if they are Buddhist, Christian or Muslim communities, we are all human beings and citizens who deserve to get treated fairly and immediately."
Thailand is on course to pass the 1 million mark in coronavirus cases this week, with 7,700 deaths so far, including a record 239 on Tuesday.
Vaccination rates are low due to supply shortages and temples are inundated with bodies to cremate.
Pairuch Sudtoop is a volunteer for a foundation funded by donations that has provided free undertaking and cremation services for about 350 people in recent months.
"The nation is in crisis now, I've never seen Thais suffer this much," Mr Pairuch said.
He volunteers on top of his job as a business owner and church worker.
"As the last person at the gate between the human world and the afterlife, it's hard to control our emotions not to be sad."
The government has hotlines for infected people to call for help, but has been criticised for failing to cope with a surge in demand.
A group of aerospace engineers has created a platform to connect volunteers with infected people needing assistance, tracking their locations and waiting times. It also provides information like available community isolation centres and places to refill oxygen tanks.
Volunteer developer Wasanchai Vongsantivanich points to red dots on a screen showing a Bangkok map and those awaiting help.
"You can see the situation is pretty bad," he said, adding 9,000 volunteers signed up in the first three weeks.
"They are just trying to help people in the community."
Daily News published a report on the latest situation regarding vaccine availability in Thailand citing their sources at a CCSA meeting.
The overall report was upbeat suggesting that more vaccines and more choice was soon on the way as Thailand battles its most serious wave of Covid-19 yet.
They said that Astra Zeneca vaccine will be distributed to the tune of 5 million doses a month until 61 million doses was completed. So far it's been 14.7 million, they claimed.
Moderna vaccine - ordered by many expats in Thailand online posts suggest - will not be available until "the end of the year".
The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation and the Red Cross are working on the import of Moderna.
Picture: Daily News
Sinovac has already been jabbed 13.4 million times and 5.7 million more doses will be available in August and September. One million was donated.
Twenty million doses of Pfizer vaccine would be available in the fourth quarter (from October to December). Some has already been donated in two lots.
Johnson and Johnson cannot import yet due to registration problems.
Sputnik is still to be registered by the Thai FDA.
Five million doses of Sinopharm have been imported already and five million more are on the way.
Thailand has searched high and low to revive foreign tourism during the pandemic.
Most European vacationers won't consider Thailand as a holiday resort until fully vaccinated tourists are spared compulsory quarantine, according to a report by a group of British travel agents.
DreamHols asked 1,360 customers, mostly Brits but with some European Union input, why they were not booking for the Thai Sandbox holidays which are centered on the south of the country. Fully vaccinated foreign tourists must spend 14 days on Phuket, and potentially several other designated islands, before being allowed to roam the country at will.
Respondents gave a variety of reasons including the overall expense, including insurance and health tests, and the complexity of the ever-changing entrance requirements, the fact that many amenities are closed and a preference for non-Sandbox destinations such as Bangkok, Pattaya and Chiang Mal without an initial 14-days delay in Phuket.
However, the key reason stated by over 75 percent was the requirement to undertake initial quarantine for two full weeks, howbeit with limited freedom to move around designated southern islands to enjoy the sun-kissed beaches as long as they slept every evening at their chosen hotel and did not try to run off.
One respondent from Manchester said, "If you are doubly-vaccinated, it should be enough to prove that and to have a pre-departure Covid test without the need to be confined to quarters for a fortnight." He added that everybody he knew was booking a holiday in a country where you were permitted to be free from day one or, at worst, day two.
The Sandbox scheme has to date welcomed 20,000 foreigners to Phuket with around 1,700 Brits, the largest contingent after the USA. But the American government has now graded Thailand as red, or highest virus risk, and strongly advised against travel to the kingdom. Britain currently rates Thailand as amber, or medium risk, although the persistent increase in daily infection totals could compromise that intermediate listing.
The Tourist Authority of Thailand governor, Yuthasak Supasorn, has stressed that strict regulations to protect visitors are in force in the Sandbox areas and that no foreign tourist has yet caught the virus whilst enjoying a vacation there. He explained that the best way forward for Thailand was to reduce the fortnight compulsory quarantine to one week from October this year. But even that possibility depends on the virus and its variants coming under control.
Chon Buri reports 7 more Covid deaths, 1,182 new cases
Health officials, accompanied by Si Racha city mayor Chatchai Thimkrajang (standing, in black vest) administer Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine to vulnerable people at their homes on Aug 14, when nine people requested the service. (Photo:@Pr.Srirachacity Facebook page)
CHON BURI: Seven more Covid-19 deaths and another 1,182 infections were reported in this eastern province on Tuesday, with most new cases found three districts – Si Racha, Muang and Bang Lamung.
The number of patients discharged after treatment outnumbered the new cases, at 1,314,
The new infections brought the provincial total to 48,218, of which 27,250 had already recovered, including the 1,314 discharged cases. A total of 20,711 patients were still in hospitals.
The seven fatalities brought the total to 257, the provincial public health office said in an update posted on its Facebook page on Tuesday.
Of the 1,182 new cases, 358 caught the disease from other family members, 192 from colleagues, 25 from infected people close to them and one at a party.
Thirty-six cases were linked to five clusters –Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co in Si Racha district (14), Autoliv (Thailand) Co in Muang district (6), Denso (Thailand) in Phan Thong district (5), and Italian-Thai Plc in Bang Lamung district (5).
Thirty-six cases were in at-risk occupations. Seven were medical workers and 16 were from workplaces in Rayong province.
Another 89 people came into contact with confirmed cases and were still under disease investigation. The remaining 413 infections were being investigated, the provincial public health office said.
Si Racha district logged the highest number of new infections (376), followed by Muang (260), Bang Lamung (216), Phan Thong (80), Phanat Nikhom (54), Ban Bung (52), Koh Chan (41), and Sattahip (15). The remaining cases were in other districts.
FILE PHOTO: A health worker prepares a dose of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the Central Vaccination Center, inside the Bang Sue Grand Station, Thailand, June 21, 2021. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand, a regional manufacturer of AstraZeneca's coronavirus shots, is seeking to borrow 150,000 doses of the same vaccine from the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, an official said on Monday, amid a Thai supply shortage.
Thailand has been racing to boost its stocks after being hit by its worst wave of coronavirus infections, just two months before it started its mass immunisation drive in June.
The request to tap vaccines from Bhutan, a country of less than 1 million people, reflects efforts to plug gaps in Thailand's chaotic vaccine rollout, after AstraZeneca said it could supply the country with about five to six million monthly doses, about half of what the government had targeted.
Thailand produces AstraZeneca's vaccine for regional distribution but has managed to fully inoculate just 7.1% of its population so far, with new daily infections projected to double next month.
By contrast, Bhutan started its vaccinations in March and has administered over 1 million doses, a number sufficient to have immunised about two-thirds of its population. It has recorded less than 3,000 cases and just three deaths.
"The vaccine swap arrangement between Bhutan and Thailand ... is on basis that Thailand will send back vaccines to Bhutan later on," said Natapanu Nopakun, a foreign ministry spokesperson.
"At the moment, the agreement is being reviewed and considered by the government."
Bhutan's embassy in Bangkok did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Thailand reported 21,157 new infections on Monday bringing the total to 928,314. There were 182 new deaths, among 7,734 fatalities overall.
As many as 3,000 Thai minors catching COVID-19 every day
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Between 2,000 and 3,000 under 18 year olds are now getting infected with COVID-19 every day, compared to just 366 per week in the first three months of this year, according to Dr. Somsak Akkasilp, director general of Thailand's Medical Services Department.
New daily infections, across all age groups in the country, currently average about 20,000.
He attributed the surge of infections among minors to increased infections in families, as he cited findings by the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health showing that most of the severe cases among youngsters have genetic diseases, such as brain or heart disease, or are bed-ridden, which require them to be treated in general hospitals, exposing them to greater risk of infection.
He said that the child health institute had been asked increase the number of beds to accommodate infected children with moderate or severe symptoms, who are normally accompanied by their infected parents.
Network hospitals have also been told to look after children in home isolation, by supplying them with food and other basic necessities, as well as "tele-med" for online counselling.
Accumulated recorded fatalities among minors are currently in excess of 10.
Chonburi reports 1,223 new Covid -19 cases with 9 deaths
Chonburi –
The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 1,223 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with 9 new deaths, August 16th.
This makes a total of 47,036 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 20,850 people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 250 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April. The details on yesterday's 9 new deaths were not given, which is standard for the health department.
Additionally, 1,110 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 25,936 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 219, Si Racha 458, Banglamung (Pattaya) 223, Panat Nikhom 53, Sattahip 10, Ban Bueang 71, Pan Thong 77, Bor Thong 36, Ko Chan 1, Nong Yai 18, and 57 new cases transferred from other provinces for medical care.
Cluster, Summit Lame Chabang Auto Body Work Co., Ltd. in Si Racha, 9 cases
Cluster, Sang Kajoen Co., Ltd. in Si Racha, 9 cases
Cluster, Thai Maintech Co.,Ltd. in Si Racha, 7 cases
Cluster, Chicony Electronics (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. in Pan Thong, 7 cases
Risky occupations like taxi drivers, customer-facing roles, 33 cases
8 medical personnel
Contact with previous confirmed cases from other provinces, 2 cases
31 cases from various enterprises in Rayong
Close contacts in general: in families – 241 cases, in workplaces – 217 cases and close persons – 14 cases
Close contacts (under investigation), 201 cases
Currently under investigation in general for the source of Covid-19 infection, 431 cases
A total of 1,393 close contact searches were received today with 501 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.
During the first month and a half of the #PhuketSandbox, 20,727 international travellers arrived with 6,672 still there. Most people came from USA, UK and Israel. Average length of stay was 11.14 days. Hotels were on average booked 16 days in advance. Popular destinations after were Bangkok, Surat Thani (Samui), Chiang Mai, Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin) and Chonburi (Pattaya).
Khao San Road is quiet after the Covid-19 outbreak in the country. (Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya)
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is hoping a shorter quarantine nationwide during the fourth quarter can accelerate travel demand once the pandemic is controlled.
TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the current outbreak is more severe and lasting longer than expected. It has led to stringent measures to curtail the number of new infections.
The country has tried to reopen to tourism under the Phuket sandbox scheme. Only 55 visitors or 0.28% of 19,619 total travellers have tested positive for Covid-19 between July 1 and Aug 12.
He said more destinations are expected to welcome inoculated tourists from October to the first quarter of next year, but the most effective method to lure tourists is to reduce the quarantine period across the board.
"After the outbreak subsides, we will propose a plan to ease quarantine rules, not only in sandbox areas but the whole country, to generate more travel as many countries have started to reduce the mandatory period to seven days," Mr Yuthasak said.
With these conditions, TAT is maintaining its forecast this year of 1.2 million international arrivals generating 85 billion baht.
However, if the outbreak continues to linger, the agency plans to slash its estimate, he said.
TAT set an ambitious target to earn 1.3 to 1.9 trillion baht next year.
The key factors for achieving that goal depend on a national vaccination push to help contain the virus by the early fourth quarter and creating herd immunity by the first half of next year, which should allow the Thai economy to recover by the end of 2022, said Mr Yuthasak.
To attract more travellers, the reopening rules should feature relaxed travel regulations and recognition of all vaccine brands on the approval list for inoculated tourists, he said. This includes the Russian vaccine Sputnik V, which is still under consideration.
Mr Yuthasak said the outgoing policy and mandatory quarantine for each destination are also crucial to support the tourism target.
Lastly, the government must continue to introduce economic and tourism stimulus packages to support economic growth, he said.
Mr Yuthasak said Thai tourism in the post-pandemic period will focus on boosting revenue as well as establishing high-value and sustainable tourism, in line with the country's national strategy for a new tourism landscape.
He said one change in tourist behaviour in the post-pandemic era could be less travel.
Tourism promotions should be targeted at travellers who can comply with additional rules during trips, particularly regarding health and safety, said Mr Yuthasak.
TDRI urges govt to prioritise procurement of high-quality vaccines
The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has said the country is far from ready to be reopened in 120 days as previously stated by the prime minister.
In an article titled "Investing in Public Health", published on Tuesday, the TDRI suggested that the focus should be on restoring public health back to normal as swiftly and effectively as possible, in order to resume normal economic activity.
The article was written by TDRI director Saowaruj Rattanakhamfu. The article said that the government's tardy management is damaging citizens' lives and the economy. The country is losing more than THB1.5 billion every month in the tourism sector alone.
Compared to the UK, Israel and Singapore, which have been reopened due to the easing of the pandemic situation, Thailand is still far from returning to normal. As only 21.9 per cent of the population had got the first vaccine dose, and as many had received Sinovac which is not considered as having high efficacy, Saowaruj said it would be impossible to reopen the country in October as announced by the government.
The TDRI has made the following suggestions:
The government needs to promptly invest in high-quality vaccines, including Favipiravir medication, and transparently inoculate the right target groups.
As the vaccine procurement process is slow, the government should predominantly invest in proactive virus testing. More virus testing points should be set up and antigen test kits should be distributed to business establishments, especially to small and medium-sized enterprises and businesses whose staff are not able to work from home.
Isolate and treat infected patients as soon as possible, especially homeless people and those who live in crowded communities.
Increase compensation for frontline personnel, and provide risk prevention measures for them and their families. Distribution of high-quality vaccine should be the top priority.
Increase the number of staff and volunteers to treat patients who practice isolation at home or at community isolation centres.
Regarding the funding required to implement these five suggestions, Saowaruj said the government can allocate some money from the THB500 billion Royal Decree Loan which was recently released, and from the central budget for fiscal year 2021-22.
"By allocating the money from these sources, the government should be able to find approximately THB1.34 billion in order to bring Thailand back to normal," said Saowaruj.
