Bkk Brian

I think you'll find he just copied this from those EU experts who have already stated similar, hardly knuckleheads: Tyra Grove Krause the chief epidemiologist at Denmark's State Serum Institute Omicron is here to stay, and it will provide some massive spread of infection in the coming month. When it's over, we're in a better place than we were before.' But while infection numbers in countries with the variant are soaring, the expert said that the highly infectious Omicron appears milder than the Delta variant, and therefore more people will be infected without having serious symptoms. As a result, she said, this will provide a good level of immunity in the population.

Good point but like its testing numbers, its turned a blind eye

London seems to have reached its peak as of 3rd Jan according to published statistics by ONS and confirmed by the CEO of NHS trusts on the 3rd Jan: "London covid hospitalisation data remains very important as they went into this omicron peak first and will therefore emerge first. Last two days data more encouraging. Daily hospitalisations last week were growing at a very concerning rate – 9%, 15% and 9% 27, 28, 29 Dec But growth rate over last few days dropped significantly. Number of patients with covid in London hospitals grew by 5% on both 30 and 31 Dec and then 1% on 1 Jan and 2% on 2 Jan. IF (a very big if) this much lower growth rate continues over next few days, growing optimism" Agree with the other related story, continued boosters in the UK need evidence first before a fourth shot.

Agree the UK studies/stats confirm as you say, much less dangerous in terms of outcomes for patients. However hospitalizations were not the same at all, they've been rising fast although in London it seems to have slowed right down and reaching its peak. Those admitted for incidental covid, ie admitted for a broken leg but also found to have Omicron are running at about 30%, the rest are there for Omicron symptoms. Omicron deaths did not stay at that announced figure of 1, its a daily occurrence although again far lower numbers and the big plus is that ICU numbers are flatlining, they have not risen with the hospitalization admissions. So yes all positive news. Aside form the burden on health care workers which is enormous!

So tell them to stop closing schools then!!

Thankfully for Imperial College the UK finally acted to lockdown in the initial pandemic, without that the cost to lives would have been far greater, alongside that it implemented the furlough scheme, however thats nothing to do with its latest report on Omicron which is what this thread is about and their latest study on it.

I do, when you look at their most up to date reports that moves with the science and evidence at the time. From Imperial College London in late Dec Covid-19: Omicron less severe than Delta variant, UK studies find

With over 2,000 Omicron cases in Thailand so far, expert predicts beginning of new wave With over 2,000 cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus detected in Thailand to date according to the Ministry of Public Health, the country is entering a widespread wave of COVID-19 infections in the "next two years", following the long New Year holidays, which will see daily infections spiking into the tens of thousands of cases in the near future, predicted Dr. Manoon Leechawengwongs, a doctor specializing in respiratory and pulmonary diseases at Vichaiyut hospital. In his Facebook post today, he said, however, that there is no cause for alarm. https://www.thaipbsworld.com/with-over-2000-omicron-cases-in-thailand-so-far-expert-predicts-beginning-of-new-wave/ Typo in the above should be in the "next two months" I think

Another study just out from Denmark A virus can be more transmissible due to a number of reasons, such as the time it lingers in the air, its ability to latch onto cells, or its evasion of the body's immune system. Investigating nearly 12,000 Danish households in mid-December, the scientists found that Omicron was 2.7 to 3.7 times more infectious than the Delta variant among vaccinated Danes. The study, conducted by researchers at University of Copenhagen, Statistics Denmark and Statens Serum Institut (SSI), suggests the virus is mainly spreading more rapidly because it is better at evading immunity obtained from vaccines. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/omicron-evades-immunity-better-than-delta-danish-study-finds-2022-01-03/

Just depends what side of the fence he's sitting on at the time, leaves his options open

Now the blame game has started from Anutin Anutin puts surge in Covid-19 cases down to irresponsible partygoers, venues Thailand’s daily Covid-19 caseload has risen to more than 3,000 after the New Year break because of some people’s irresponsible behaviour and entertainment venues ignoring prevention measures, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Tuesday. He also blamed agencies for allowing entertainment venues to change their status to restaurants without checking if all prevention measures were in place. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010729

Another one just announced.................. Separated by COVID: Family holiday for New Year comes undone after son, 17, tests positive in Phuket PHUKET: A family holiday to Phuket has left a 17-year-old trapped in a hotel room for five days waiting for confirmation on whether or not he is a ‘Green’ COVID patient and allowed to move to a room next door to his father and brother at a ‘quarantine hotel’, or whether he will be admitted into the local hospital system for treatment. https://www.thephuketnews.com/separated-by-covid-family-holiday-for-new-year-comes-undone-after-son-17-tests-positive-in-phuket-82597.php

A team of disease control investigators are inspecting Khao San Road this afternoon after ten people tested positive after visiting a famous pub during 30-31 December 2021. Closures are expected to be announced #Bangkok #Thailand https://twitter.com/ThaiNewsReports/status/1478258688091590658

More escapees incoming....lol 2 Indian tourists left hospital for Bangkok after positive COVID test: health officials Health officials are asking the public for any information about two Indian nationals they fear could be spreading COVID-19 in Bangkok. Weeks after the nation plunged into a cold panic over an infected Israeli man on the loose, Chonburi’s provincial health office announced Tuesday afternoon that two tourists who had tested positive for COVID-19 had left a hospital there and were believed on their way to Bangkok. Anyone with knowledge of the whereabouts of Ankit Sejwal, 30, and Preeti Panwar, 32, are encouraged to contact the Vibharam Laemchabang Hospital at 03-300-9800. https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/2-indian-tourists-left-hospital-for-bangkok-after-positive-covid-test-health-officials/

ah the Thai way, brush under the carpet, don't plan ahead by testing just make reactionary decisions once its too late. The reason for testing be that ATK or PCR is to determine not only the current spread but also for planning of additional resources for health depts, public sectors including schools and hospitals.

Phuket has so far confirmed 144 Omicron COVID-19 cases, including locals and foreign nationals. This has prompted authorities on the island to recommend that tourism businesses step up compliance with disease control measures. https://twitter.com/NBTWORLDNews/status/1478229707149611010

What a frigging self made mess. If insurance companies don't pay for Green cases then the insurance is useless and that should have been identified before regulations for sandbox or test and go were ever implemented.

Damn, this is what I was worried about, getting seriously ****** off now Phuket Communicable Disease Committee has decided to close all schools and to teach online instead from 4-14 January in order to prevent new clusters. This follows the news of 184 Covid-19 cases in one day https://twitter.com/ThaiNewsReports/status/1478202920382328832 https://mgronline.com/south/detail/9650000000682 Yet bars/restaurants and other venues can carry on as normal, the main culprits for clusters!

LOL or it could be the other way round, the announcement was made in Thai and the translated article did not pick up the finer details

What they did not make clear is that a rapid test identifies a covid infection but cannot distinguish which variant it is. To discover the variant a PCR test can identify the Omicron variant via a drop out S gene, although a full sequence confirms it.

Thailand's strategy of incarcerating most of those who get infected seems to be paying dividends in keeping the numbers down, who on earth wants to report a positive test if its mild symptoms or none at all, only to be then locked up for 2 weeks, especially a foreigner who has the pleasure to pay a premium for it. That and the sheer lack of official testing of course.

just updated for what its worth..................... https://ddc.moph.go.th/covid19-dashboard/

PCR test positive cases, total of 3,091 official new infections. 12 official covid deaths recorded. Rapid tests dashboard not been updated yet for today https://ddc.moph.go.th/covid19-dashboard/

and another one just popped up.....lol Anna McEvoy reveals Covid holiday nightmare in Thailand as she tests positive to the virus but her boyfriend is negative - causing 'panic and confusion' for the couple Love Island winner Anna McEvoy has revealed her Covid holiday nightmare after she tested positive for coronavirus in Thailand - but her boyfriend tested negative. The reality star took to Instagram on Monday to reveal a dream trip to the popular tourist destination has become one led by 'panic and confusion' Michael initially tested positive for Covid only for authorities to then email him saying he is 'negative,' meaning he is subject to different rules to Anna. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10363345/Anna-McEvoy-reveals-covid-holiday-nightmare-Thailand.html

https://ddc.moph.go.th/covid19-dashboard/