The Prayut Chan-o-cha government must pay heed to recommendations by some medical experts that it should not rush to declare Covid-19 as an endemic disease given that the situation has not significantly improved.
Instead, its priority should be that it is able to control new infection cases. Initially, there were concerns that widespread travel during the Songkran festival would trigger a new outbreak.
The current number of daily infection cases, around 16,000-17,000, may appear to be declining compared to the pre-Songkran period, but fatality rates remain high, and that is worrisome.
Despite such concerns, the government next week will ease travel restrictions, switching from more precise and costlier RT-PCR to cheaper ATK testing, to promote tourism and boost the economy.
Members of the public have another reason to be concerned about the decision to soon declare Covid-19 as an endemic disease because those who get sick could be stripped of some medical benefits. According to the National Health Security Office, if Covid-19 is endemic, the medical coverage may no longer be applied to people with mild symptoms -- the so-called green category -- when they seek treatment and isolation at a "hospitel".
The agency has tried to quell public concerns, saying that all patients can still make medical claims from the scheme they belong to, ie, the 30-baht UC, a programme for state personnel or the one provided by the Social Security Office. The new status will also not affect vulnerable groups with six serious conditions as they can seek treatment at any nearby health establishment.
But it's necessary for the government to adhere to endemic criteria: low new infection cases, no more than 10,000 cases a day; a fatality rate not exceeding 1:1,000 population; a low hospitalisation rate of no more than 10%; and a complete vaccination campaign.
Initially, Surin province in March said it was on its way to being the first to shift its Covid-19 status to endemic until a surge in infection cases following the Songkran festival forced it to abort the plan. Currently, a total of 15 provinces including Phetchaburi, Phuket and several others in the southern region are seeking to adopt endemic status.
One obstacle that makes it not possible to adopt this endemic status so soon is incomplete vaccination. It's true that more than 60% of the population has received two vaccine doses, but the booster jab rate, especially among vulnerable groups like the elderly, has not been impressive.
The country's healthcare system is not flawless. There have been complaints from those who tested positive for the virus, especially people in Bangkok, that they cannot promptly get medication. Some were told to go back home and wait. Some were forced to use connections while others had to seek help elsewhere.
Meanwhile, it should be noted that hospitels remain necessary as a number of people cannot practice home isolation as they live in cramped conditions that make distancing too difficult.
It's understood the government is rushing for the endemic status to cut its budget burden and ease pressure on the health system. But it would help more if it cut back the military budget, especially expensive weapons procurement. A large amount of money could also be saved should the government take tougher anti-corruption measures in state projects.
The government has to be straightforward in handling the pandemic. Rushing to make the disease endemic could become a disaster.