Altogether 63 foreigners arriving in Thailand during Dec. 14-23 were infected with coronavirus. Meanwhile 61 more people have been infected by the superspreading couple in Kalasin province with 45 of them doing so at a pub-cum-restaurant located in a market and within its compound from Dec. 12 onwards. Thai Newsroom

Over 60 foreign arrivals test positive for Covid-19

December 25, 2021 TNR Staff

THE Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said today (Dec. 25) that 63 foreigners who came to Thailand during Dec. 14-23 tested positive for Covid-19, TV Channel 7 said.

The majority of the cases were from the US, totalling 13, followed by the UK, 11, and all were either found infected at the Test & Go point or while quarantined. Most were asymptomatic.

Also found to be infected were seven travellers from France, four from Saudi Arabia and one each from Scotland, Pakistan, Switzerland, Israel, Laos, Belgium, South Africa, Norway, Hungary, Denmark, Turkey and Maldives.

Meanwhile 61 more people have been infected by the superspreading couple in Kalasin province with 45 of them doing so at a pub-cum-restaurant located in a market and within its compound from Dec. 12 onwards.

This has increased the cluster linked to this Omicron-infected couple who returned from Belgium on Dec. 10 to 64 with tests still determining whether 45 of them are infected with this variant. 

Provincial authorities are rushing to proactively screen those at risk of getting infected. The provincial Communicable Disease Control Committee is holding a meeting to work out additional control steps and it is expected that risky places will be closed.

The pub-cum-restaurant visited by this couple has already been closed as musicians and a number of staff members have got infected with Omicron.

It was also announced by CCSA this morning that there were 2,766 Covid cases and 30 deaths over the past 24 hours with this taking the cumulative confirmed total since April to  2,178,575.

Another  3,805 patients have been cured taking total recoveries since April to 2,121,331 while 37,123 are still undergoing treatment.

Air travelers may face higher risk of catching Covid on flights. The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has reported that the top medical advisor for the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has indicated that airplane passengers now face 2-3 times the risk of catching COVID-19 due to the emergence of the Omicron coronavirus variant. Air travelers are being advised to avoid coming into close contact with one another or touching surfaces that are frequently handled. Pattaya Mail / NNT / IATA

Air travelers may face higher risk of catching Covid on flights

December 25, 2021

The CCSA has reported that the top medical advisor for the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has indicated that airplane passengers now face 2-3 times the risk of catching COVID-19 due to the emergence of the Omicron coronavirus variant.

An expert with the International Air Transport Association says air travelers now face double or triple the risk of catching Covid on flights, because of the prevalence of the Omicron coronavirus variant.



The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has reported that the top medical advisor for the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has indicated that airplane passengers now face 2-3 times the risk of catching COVID-19 due to the emergence of the Omicron coronavirus variant. Air travelers are being advised to avoid coming into close contact with one another or touching surfaces that are frequently handled.

According to the CCSA, the risk of contracting Covid on a flight is eclipsed by the much higher risk presented by visiting crowded places such as malls. The center reasoned that newer aircraft employ the same grade of air filtration systems as those found at hospitals. It reiterated the importance of observing disease control measures on flights, including wearing masks, regularly washing hands, and keeping a distance from other passengers. The center noted the best action that can be taken to prevent infections is getting vaccinated in accordance with medical recommendations, saying this also applied to booster shots. (NNT)



The COVID-19 pandemic has been a blessing for turtles around Phuket and the wider Anadaman Sea area as the drop-off in tourism has seen an uptake in the number of turtle nests being found... Phuket News

Sea turtles return to Thailand's shores during pandemic

PHUKET: After laying eggs on a deserted Thai beach, a green sea turtle dives back into the turquoise-coloured waters of the Andaman Sea - a welcome sight for biologists who say the absence of tourists spurred the marine animal's return.

The turtle's nesting was spotted in November by scientists. In about two months, the 100 eggs will hatch and babies will slide towards the sea, guided by the moonlight.

Pre-pandemic, millions of tourists thronged to the white sand beaches of southern Thailand, ferried to the islands by tour boats which dissuaded the skittish creatures from venturing ashore.

But with almost 20 months of COVID travel restrictions in place, several different species of sea turtles have returned to nesting around Phuket, an ultra-popular beach destination before the pandemic.

Between October 2020 and February 2021, 18 nests of leatherback turtles - which can grow up to 400 kilograms as an adult and are the largest species of sea turtles - were found in Phuket.

"Their nesting has improved in the last two years thanks to the absence of tourists, noise and light pollution," Kongkiat Kittiwatanawong, director of the Phuket Marine Biological Center, told AFP.

"We had never seen such a number in 20 years."

Although chances of survival are very low - about one egg hatched out of 1,000 will reach adulthood - Kongkiat said the increase in nesting is a positive sign for efforts to preserve endangered species.

A nest of the olive ridley sea turtle was also spotted - the first time in two decades.

Other species that live in the warm waters around Thailand include leatherback, hawksbill, green and loggerhead turtles.

No long-term reprieve

But as Thailand tentatively begins to reopen its doors to fully vaccinated international tourists, scientists have tempered their optimism.

"The pandemic may offer sea turtles a welcome break," Thon Thamrongnawasawat from Kasetsart University in Bangkok said.

"But they live long and are a highly migratory species. Without effective policies to protect them, we can't expect many long-term benefits to population recovery."

In Thailand - as in many other countries - the marine animal's future is threatened by global warming, which harms coral reefs and increases temperatures of waters.

The hotter conditions could in turn disrupt turtle species' populations: studies have shown that warmer sands where they nest leads to more female hatchlings relative to males.

Pollution is also a problem.

At the moment, plastic and discarded fishing lines and nets remain the primary cause of disease and death.

"In 56% of the cases, the turtles that are brought to us have ingested marine waste or become trapped in it," said Dr Patcharaporn Kaewong from the Phuket Marine Biological Center.

Currently, 58 turtles are being treated there. Some need operations, amputation or prosthetics before they are released back into the wild.

Tracking the turtles

At the moment, scientists and local authorities are on high alert for nesting seaon, which runs until February.

After a female turtle lays a nest, the authorities will act quickly - either moving them to a safe place if they are too close to the water or surrounding it with bamboo fences and security cameras.

"After hatching, we take care of the weak turtles until they are strong enough to go to the sea," Patcharaporn said.

She added that educating the public about conservation was also important.

Up until a few decades ago, eating turtle eggs was a common custom in Thailand, but gathering them was banned by the Thai government in 1982.

Illegally possessing or selling leatherback turtle eggs is now punishable by three to 15 years in prison, and carries fines of up to US$50,000 (B1.6 million).

Some marine protection NGOs are also financially rewarding locals who report a nest, while technology - like microchipping a turtle - also plays a part in long-term monitoring.

"Thanks to satellite tracking, we have observed that they can migrate much further than we thought," Kongkiat said, adding that some have gone as far as Australia.





Thailand considers triple AstraZeneca vaccine regimen to fight Omicron variant. Dr. Opart Karnkawinpong, head of the DCD, said today (Friday) that Oxford University’s report will be studied by the immune enhancement committee, which comprises vaccine experts, to determine whether Thailand’s vaccination regimen should be adjusted to three AstraZeneca doses, instead of two, and a booster of Pfizer. PBS World

Thailand considers triple AstraZeneca vaccine regimen to fight Omicron variant

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Thailand's Disease Control Department (DCD) is in the process of obtaining information from Oxford University's lab study, which shows that a three-dose course of AstraZeneca vaccine is effective against the rapidly spreading Omicron variant.

Dr. Opart Karnkawinpong, head of the DCD, said today (Friday) that Oxford University's report will be studied by the immune enhancement committee, which comprises vaccine experts, to determine whether Thailand's vaccination regimen should be adjusted to three AstraZeneca doses, instead of two, and a booster of Pfizer.

Findings by Oxford University, which are yet to be published in a peer-reviewed medical journal, match those from rivals Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, which have also found a third dose of their vaccines work against Omicron.

The study on the AstraZeneca vaccine Vaxzevria showed that, three doses produced neutralizing levels against Omicron which are broadly similar to those against the Delta variant after two doses.

Dr. Opart said that Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, at the recent meeting of the National Communicable Disease Committee, instructed the committee to follow up on the Oxford University study.

The Thai government plans to procure 120 million doses of vaccines next year, half of which or 60 million doses will be AstraZeneca's new generation vaccine, which is effective against coronavirus mutations.

The AstraZeneca vaccines are to be supplied by Siam Bioscience, a wholly-owned Thai company founded by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, which produces the vaccines, with technology from UK-based AstraZeneca, for distribution to countries in Asia. 

Thai hospitals prepare for COVID outbreaks during New Year mass exodus from cities | CCSA Assistant Spokesperson Dr. Apisamai Srirangsan said today (Friday) that the public sector has increased precautions, due to concerns over the Omicron variant and its rapid transmissibility. She claimed some private businesses have underestimated the strain. Thai PBS World.

Thai hospitals prepare for COVID outbreaks during New Year mass exodus from cities

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Thailand's Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has instructed all hospitals nationally to prepare staff and equipment, including isolation facilities, to cope with the mass movement of people back to their home provinces and the potential spread of COVID-19 over the festive season.

CCSA Assistant Spokesperson Dr. Apisamai Srirangsan said today (Friday) that the public sector has increased precautions, due to concerns over the Omicron variant and its rapid transmissibility. She claimed some private businesses have underestimated the strain.

The COVID Delta variant still remains dominant in Thailand, accounting for 83.89% of all COVID-19 infections diagnosed between December 20th and 23rd, while Omicron accounts for 16.2%.

In Bangkok, however, the Delta variant accounted for 56.5% of 207 samples diagnosed, while Omicron accounted for 43.5%. Outside the capital, the Delta variant accounts for 92.2% of 667 specimens diagnosed and 7.8% for Omicron.

Of 221 samples taken from foreign arrivals, the Delta variant accounted for 47.1%, while Omicron accounted for 52.9%.

By comparison, in the United States, the Omicron variant now accounts for 73% of new COVID-19 infections, up from 12% just a week ago and the Omicron variant has become the dominant strain.

In the UK, 50% of those in hospital with COVID-19 are Delta cases, while the Omicron variant accounts for about 25%.

Dr. Apisamai said that the CCSA subcommittee praised the "COVID free" setting measures imposed on New Year celebrations in Phuket, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Ayutthaya and Rayong.

The measures include limitation of attendees to 1,000 per event and advance registration for attendance through the "QueQ" application, attendees must have received two vaccine doses and tested negative with an antigen test within 72 hours before attendance.

In Rayong, she said that the organisers of New Year events have completely banned alcohol consumption on site and have clearly set aside car park areas, with free transport services for attendees, who are all required to undergo temperature screening and QR code scanning.





Omicron cases 'rising rapidly'. Apisamai Srirangson, assistant spokeswoman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), said that there were 205 confirmed cases of the Omicron variant in Thailand as of Friday. The figure rose from 154 cases on Wednesday. She also said a random sample of 874 Covid-19 cases was conducted between Dec 20-23. Of them, 16.2% were the Omicron variant while the rest were the Delta strain. Bangkok Post

Omicron cases 'rising rapidly'

A health worker gives a woman a Moderna booster shot at the Zear Rangsit shopping centre in Pathum Thani on Friday. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)

About 16% of Covid-19 infections detected in Thailand so far have been proven to be cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant, according to the latest random sample collected by the Public Health Ministry.

Apisamai Srirangson, assistant spokeswoman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), said that there were 205 confirmed cases of the Omicron variant in Thailand as of Friday. The figure rose from 154 cases on Wednesday.

She also said a random sample of 874 Covid-19 cases was conducted between Dec 20-23. Of them, 16.2% were the Omicron variant while the rest were the Delta strain.

Of the 874 cases, some 221 were arrivals from other countries under the Test & Go scheme and more than half of the arrivals or 52.9% were confirmed to be infected with the Omicron variant, she said.

"The figures are based on reports of Test & Go arrivals sent in from each province," Dr Apisamai said.

This shows a rapidly increasing rate of Omicron cases detected in the country, but generally, Delta remains the dominant variant in Thailand, she said.

A breakdown of the figures into provincial cases shows 56.5% of cases in Bangkok were still the Delta variant while 43.5% were the Omicron strain. In other provinces, most cases were still the Delta variant, Dr Apisamai said.

The Omicron variant is proving far more transmissible than Delta.

With the number of Omicron cases clearly on the rise, health authorities were concerned about a cluster of 22 confirmed cases of Omicron linked with a couple also infected with the new strain in Kalasin. Several people were at risk as a result of close contact with the couple who had returned from Belgium.

Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, di­rector-general of the Department of Disease Control, said the 22 cases are the first cluster of local Omicron transmissions in the country spreading in Kalasin and Udon Thani.

He said the case involving the Kalasin couple underscores the need to temporarily suspend the Test & Go scheme and revise travel measures for arrivals from other countries.

The husband and wife, both aged 47, arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport from Belgium on Dec 10 under the Test & Go scheme.

Their RT-PCR test upon arrival came back negative on Dec 11. They then took a THAI Smile WE046 flight to Khon Kaen where their relatives drove them in a pickup truck to Kalasin.

Their second RT-PCR test at Kalasin Hospital on Dec 17 was positive and later confirmed to be the Omicron variant, according to health authorities. They were being treated at a hospital in Khon Kaen.

Their son-in-law, 22, who lives in Udon Thani, visited them in Kalasin and he was later found infected with the variant.

According to the Public Health Ministry, 19 other people who were in close contact with the couple also tested positive with Omicron, bringing the cluster number linked with the Kalasin couple to 22.

What is worrying about the cluster was that the couple travelled to other places in their home province and in neighbouring Khon Kaen after arriving back, health authorities said.

The places they visited included a shopping mall and government offices in Kalasin. The husband also travelled in a public van to a passport office in Khon Kaen.

The public health office in Khon Kaen on Monday advised people in places they visited and people on the same flight to Khon Kaen on Dec 11, to closely monitor their health and urgently contact officials if they develop symptoms common to the coronavirus.



Bangkok Post highlights 25/12