Bkk Brian

London was a barometer for the UK, being the first city to get Omicron and massive spread. In the last few days it slowed and seemed to be peaking, good news is that is now confirmed. Thanks to its previous massive wall of protection in vaccines and previous immunity. Charts and more info in the tweet. "Downtrend in cases and hospitalizations in London now confirmed. So hosp/case rate about 25% of levels 1 year ago as discussed above. Interestingly, very little change in # patients on ventilators (in ICU, essentially) compared to before the Omicron wave."

ATK positive 2,244. PCR 7,526. Total positive 9,770 https://ddc.moph.go.th/covid19-dashboard/

Thats also what this latest article says: "Growing evidence indicates Omicron collects in the throat, not in the nose, which could be why the nasal swabs used in rapid testing kits often aren’t detecting the variant. Using saliva samples or throat swabs might be one way around the problem. A December study from researchers in South Africa said that saliva swabs should be the “preferred sample” https://www.statnews.com/2022/01/06/scientists-try-to-pinpoint-why-rapid-covid-tests-are-missing-cases/

We are all now going to experience what Thailand immunity wall is like against Omicron. Previous infections + vaccinations Vaccinations with around 50% Chinese

156 of those in 1 day from arrivals, thats a huge number which would also not include those at high risk who sat near/next to them! Plenty of rooms needed in Phuket for Hospitels........

PCR test positive cases, total of 7,526 official new infections. 19 official covid deaths recorded. Rapid tests not yet updated https://ddc.moph.go.th/covid19-dashboard/ Rolling 7 day average chart (up to 5th Jan) https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus/country/thailand

They will nose dive, before test and go the arrivals to sandbox was averaging around 700 a day. This will not only affect Phuket people but also all the entertainment and tourism related workers who travelled back to Phuket from the Provinces to work here again.

No idea please let me know if you find out, something we all need to know I think

Message just now on Antigen tests, from an epidemiologist who works for the UK Health Security Agency: "Can I clear up this rumour circulating that certain lateral flow tests simply cannot detect Omicron. This is NOT true. All LFTs used in UK *can* detect Omicron It is possible that changes in Omicrons preferred infection site + viral replication speed could mean slight changes in sensitivity for certain LFTs over the course of infection HOWEVER, this will vary person by person and does NOT mean that LFTs “don’t work” for Omicron." Top tip: you can use your “nasal only” swab to swab your throat, if you want to up your chance of detection. A small study has shown 4 of 5 people had more virus in throat than nose in the early phase (first 3 days) of Omicron infection.

Thai business sector objects to sweeping restrictions to cope with new wave of COVID-19 Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) Chairman Sanan Angubolkul disagrees with raising the COVID-19 alert level to the extent that business activities are locked down again, saying that such a decisive measure would drive the country backward. Sanan pointed out that the situation is very different from last year, because most of the population are now vaccinated, with many fully inoculated. Last year, however, only a small number of people had received vaccine shots, which were also in short supply. He said that sledgehammer measures, such as a complete lockdown, may stop the spread of the virus temporarily, but the impacts on the economy will be devastating. https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-business-sector-objects-to-sweeping-restrictions-to-cope-with-new-wave-of-covid-19/?

Already got Provincial governors closing schools, Phuket all closed now ????

I wonder what the implications are for saliva only ATK's then? These are the ones my family uses

Relax, current deaths are all most likely from Delta, time lag is still in play. When Thailand does have its first Omicron death it will probably be announced in a similar way other countries have done. ATK tests detect covid not a variant of it.

Phuket the most infected Province in Thailand per 100k population

Yes risk control...............nothing to do with sex, like I said, its part of government policy not only here but in just about every country in the world, like it or lump it that is reality. Having a daughter I lump it as she needs to go to school and going to attend events that I want to also require it.

Yea, not so long ago Anutin and others were talking about living with it. Now we can see what they mean by that. They work from home and everyone else suffers. I accept that has to be measures so as not to overwhelm hospitals but surely those of home isolation, vaccinations and obviously high risk gatherings such as the new years eve parties they promoted should have been the first.

They've also stopped publishing the vaccine statistics in the daily briefing media notes, not been included in there for over a week. https://media.thaigov.go.th/uploads/public_img/source/060164.pdf

No the staff absences are not due to vacations or because they are refusing to work, the most inconsiderate statement I've heard for a long time. The staff shortages are real but they are real due to them been infected then having to isolate and not go into work with Omicron, ending up infecting patients who do not have it. This is indeed creating huge problems along with the growing covid cases in England, only London has so far slowed down and hopefully peaked in admissions.

Its called risk control not pure theater, it also happens to be government policy for attendance at school, nothing is perfect protection but its important to reduce risk, simple logic to understand for most

Pub-like Eateries to Be Closed at Level 4 COVID Alert BANGKOK, Jan 6 (TNA) – The Public Health Ministry raised its COVID-19 alert level to Level 4 which will result in the closure of the eateries that are similar to pubs and bars as well as liquor premises. Announcing the level 4 COVID-19 alert, Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that the level 4 alert was likely to lead to restriction on alcohol consumption because it was a main factor of outbreaks. He declined to answer if a lockdown measure would be necessary under the worst-case scenario and said that the Public Health Ministry imposed measures to protect people. Mr Anutin said that the treatment of COVID-19 patients would depend mainly on home isolation (HI) and community isolation (CI) to keep hospital beds for critically ill patients. https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-856606

Agree entirely, unfortunately its those who have no consideration for others that often create clusters. My daughter tests weekly for school so I do one along with her each week, however if I visited any risky venues then I would do another. A couple of weeks ago we took part in a 5k run and all had to be tested negative first. As said while this pandemic is going on, its part and parcel of society.

This is my take, everything you did to avoid catching Delta now has to be even more stringent, so masks need to be better, social distancing, visiting inside restaurants etc. But even with being extra vigilant this Omicron seems to find a way in. Current scientific consensus is that the main reason for it being so transmissible over delta and the other strains is not just because of its airborne capabilities but because it needs a smaller viral load to infect you, plus its breaks through your vaccine defenses.

Why is it obsessive to test even though you have no symptoms? Its a requirement for many aspects of society nowadays.

Guideline for Alert Level 4: Refrain from eating & drinking in restaurants Refrain from entering risky places Avoid meeting people outside of your home Avoid groups Refrain from taking public transport Refrain from going abroad Quarantine on entry to Thailand https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/1478945825988354048

Thailand raises Covid alert level to second highest level due to Omicron and new year clusters “There will be no lockdown but some activities could be restricted in at-risk venues with crowded conditions and lack of proper airflow for public safety,” said Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, the director-general of the Department of Disease Control. “This is an announcement to raise the alert level and we will have to discuss with the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) first before new measures can come into effect,” he said. https://www.thaienquirer.com/36238/thailand-raises-covid-alert-level-to-second-highest-level-due-to-omicron-and-new-year-clusters/