Chula medical expert raises alarm over Omicron, advises people to stay in. The Nation











Covid-19 is not a weak virus as it has infected more than 200 million people and killed over 5 million, Assoc Prof Dr Thira Woratanarat from Chulalongkorn Universitys Faculty of Medicine said in a Facebook post on Saturday.

He added that the Omicron variant is particularly worrisome because it is easily transmissible, escapes immunity and resists treatment. "Even though Omicron infections are less severe, the number of Covid-19 cases can be expected to surge quickly," he said.

He said many countries, including those that had decided to "co-exist" with Covid-19, have launched strict measures to curb the spread of the disease. He is advising people to wear two face masks (a surgical mask with a cloth mask on top), maintain social distancing, avoid gatherings especially in poorly ventilated places and celebrate Christmas and New Year at home.

The Omicron coronavirus variant has been reported in 89 countries and the number of cases is doubling in 1.5 to 3 days in areas with community transmission, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Saturday. - Bangkok Post / REUTERS



Omicron cases doubling 1.5 to 3 days -WHO

The Omicron coronavirus variant has been reported in 89 countries and the number of cases is doubling in 1.5 to 3 days in areas with community transmission, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Saturday. - REUTERS

As people wait in long lines to get tested before the holidays, the Omicron coronavirus variant is spreading fast. The World Health Organization said Saturday the number of cases is doubling in 1.5 to 3 days in areas with community transmission.

Now reported in 89 countries, the agency said Omicron is spreading much faster than the Delta strain in such regions.

Not much is still known about it three weeks after the WHO designated Omicron a variant of concern.

The agency says more data are needed to judge the severity of the illness it causes. It said Omicron is spread rapidly in countries with high levels of population immunity. But it's unclear if that's due to its ability to evade immunity, its inherent increased transmissibility, or a combination of both.

It warns that hospitals could be overwhelmed in some places.

🔴 #COVID19 update on Sunday: ⬇️ 2,899 new cases ⬇️ 22 deaths. Richard Barrow



The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 160 new and confirmedcases of Covid-19 today with no new death, December 18th. Pattaya News

Chonburi announces 160 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 and no new deaths

Saturday, 18 December 2021, 18:19

Highlights:

• 160 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi today

• 158 people recovered and were released from medical care

• No new deaths

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 160 new and confirmedcases of Covid-19 today with no new death, December 18th.

This makes a total of 110,491 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 1,773 people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 783 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April.

Additionally, 158 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 107,935 people in total have now been released from medical care and recovered in Chonburi since this current wave of Covid-19 began.

Two people were listed as being in serious condition in Chonburi currently, either on a ventilator or pneumonia. One of them was not vaccinated.

In total, 1,889,344 people in Pattaya and Chonburi have received their first dose of a Covid -19 vaccine which is 81.12 percent of the total Chonburi population. Of those, 296,019 have received their first dose and are what the Thai government calls 608 groups (elders, have chronic health problems, and pregnant) which is 80.02 percent of those in these risk groups in Chonburi.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi 45, Si Racha 40, Banglamung (Pattaya) 36, Panat Nikhom 5, Sattahip 6, Ban Bueng 4, Phan Thong 9, Nong Yai 3 and 12 people transferred from other provinces for medical care.

The details on the cases are as follows:

1. Work and stayed in Rayong, transferred from other provinces for medical care, 11 cases
2. Cluster, Ge Mao Rubber International company in Phan Thong, 5 cases
3. Cluster, Asahi Tec Aluminium in Mueang Chonburi, 3 cases
4. Cluster, Auto Alliance in Rayong, 5 cases (Live in Chonburi 4, live in Rayong 1)
5. Risky occupations meeting many people, 4 case
6. 3 medical personnel
7. Back from other province in Prachuap Khiri Khan – 9 cases and Bangkok – 1 case
8. Close contacts from previously confirmed cases in families – 34 cases, in workplaces – 33 cases, close personal contacts – 4 cases, and joined a party – 3 cases
9. Back from other province in Pathum Thani – 8 cases
10. 37 cases close contacts of a confirmed patient (under investigation

Omicron impacts tourist numbers. The number of inbound tourists to Thailand is declining, says TAT chief, with Omicron believed to be the reason... Phuket News





Omicron impacts tourist numbers

PHUKET: The Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Yuthasak Supasorn has admitted that the number of tourist bookings to Thailand has slowed down with the latest COVID-19 strain of Omicron believed to be the chief factor.

Yuthasak said that there were on avergae 5 to 6,000 international tourists arriving in the Kingdom per day prior to the Omicron outbreak but that figure has fallen to less than 3,000 per day since Dec 8.

He added that on Dec 15 it was reported a total of 2,584 tourists entered the country and that many were now postponing their booking to the New Year in the hope the Omicron strain can be better understood and contained.

The majority of anticipated tourists were due to arrive from Europe, especially the UK, Germany and France, all countries that have been hit hard by the Omicron outbreak.

Yuthasak confirmed that since the country officially opened its borders to tourists from 'low risk countries' on Nov 1, a total of 160,079 tourists have arrived up until Dec 15. The top five countries are Germany, the UK, the US, Russia and France.

He added that a total of 544,566 have registered for the Thailand Pass and 436,008 have so far been approved and that, despite declining numbers, the per capita spend per tourist has risen from approximately B7,000 per person to approximately B8,000 per person.

TAC explains what happens if a tourist or child gets Covid-19 | One question that has frequently come up, and scared people from coming to Thailand in the age of Covid-19, is that of what happens if you test positive for the virus when you land in the country. An official with the Phuket Tourist Assistance Centre recently laid out the procedure for a tourist – or a child – who test positive for Covid-19. Thaiger

TAC explains what happens if a tourist or child gets Covid-19

By 

Neill Fronde

Saturday, December 18, 2021 15:27

One question that has frequently come up, and scared people from coming to Thailand in the age of Covid-19, is that of what happens if you test positive for the virus when you land in the country. An official with the Phuket Tourist Assistance Centre recently laid out the procedure for a tourist – or a child – who test positive for Covid-19.

While Thailand has bombarded potential tourists with announcement after announcement of sandbox schemes, and later the Test & Go programme as well as quarantine option, details on the actual process of what happens did you arrive in Thailand and test positive for Covid-19 have been rarely addressed and often the subject of wild speculation.

Even official websites like the Entry Thailand tourism portal launched this week by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports don't address the subject. The entry process barring any problems like a positive Covid-19 test are explained ad nauseam but it seems no one wants to talk about the reality of catching Covid-19 in Thailand.

So what should you expect? The Phuket TAC explain that tourists arriving in Phuket International Airport will have a Covid-19 swab test and then travel to an SHA+ hotel while they await the results. The tests generally take around 7 to 8 hours to be completed. If the results come back negative, travellers from one of 63 approved countries are free to go on their way in the Test & Go scheme, While others tour vaccinated but not from an approved country can do a soft quarantine for 7 days.

But should you test positive for Covid-19, your condition will be analysed and action will be taken based on the severity. Those who experience intense symptoms from their infection will be immediately taken to the hospital that is contracted to provide medical support to whatever SHA+ hotel the traveller is booked in. Any traveller who wants to know in advance what hotel that would be can inquire with the hotel that they have a booking with.

If the symptoms are milder or the traveller is asymptomatic, they may still be asked to stay in the hospital or might be allowed to remain in self-isolation in the SHA+ hotel they had booked. There may also be the option of moving to an Alternative Quarantine venue during their infection. Refunds for unused stays though still are at the discretion of each hotel.

Many worry about travelling with a child and what will happen if the parent or child is infected with Covid-19. The TAC assured that any child too young to care for themselves would be allowed to have their parent stay with them. Parents of an older child that can be left unattended part-time would be asked to stay separately from their child to avoid the risk of infection.

One situation that does not have a clear plan ready is if a single parent travelling with their child should become infected with Covid-19. The TAC said that local health officials would evaluate that situation should it arise and make a determination on a case by case basis. They did warn though that if the parent and child stay together, the child could become infected and parents would be responsible for the cost of treatment for the child.

SOURCE: The Phuket News



Vaccination update December 18th.

 

Prayut worried New Year parties will spark new wave, orders health ministry to crack the whip. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Saturday instructed the Public Health Ministry to issue an official rule that all visitors to large New Year festivals present proof of vaccination and ATK tests taken no more than 72 hours ago. The Nation

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Saturday instructed the Public Health Ministry to issue an official rule that all visitors to large New Year festivals present proof of vaccination and ATK tests taken no more than 72 hours ago.

Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said event organisers are required to strictly adhere to the ministry's Covid Free Setting measures.

Visitors to events with more than 1,000 people are required to be fully vaccinated and present antigen test results taken within 72 hours. For smaller events, visitors are only expected to present proof of being fully jabbed.

Thanakorn also asked people to not fall for fraudsters who offer to issue Covid-19 vaccination certificates for those who have not been jabbed. Both fraudsters and users will be punished in this case because they could spread the disease.

A correct certificate will have a QR Code which will display information about the vaccinee, the doctor who administered the jab, the brand of the dose and its bottle number.

He added that the premier was worried about restrictions being eased over the New Year, such as the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration allowing restaurants to serve booze on New Year's Eve until 1am.

Thai cabinet to be asked to ease requirements for face masks in "COVID Safe" areas | Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health will ask the government to ease requirements for the wearing of face masks in “COVID Safe” areas, such as beaches and public parks. Thai PBS World

Thai cabinet to be asked to ease requirements for face masks in "COVID Safe" areas

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Thailand's Ministry of Public Health will ask the government to ease requirements for the wearing of face masks in "COVID Safe" areas, such as beaches and public parks.

Public Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Kiattibhoom Vongrachit said, during his visit to the Chaiyaphum provincial hospital yesterday (Friday), that the requirement to wear face masks in public places could be eased in certain areas, when COVID-19 situation in the country has improved and most of the population has been fully vaccinated.

He added, however, that, if the requirement for face masks outdoors is to be eased in certain areas, other restrictions, such as social distancing, bans on food sales and crowding must be strictly enforced.

In the north-eastern province of Chaiyaphum, 53.64% of the population, or 608,748, people have received their first vaccine shots, said Dr. Kiattibhoom, adding that he hasinstructed health officials to accelerate inoculations to cover more people.