Coronavirus in Thailand: Should you be worried and do you need to wear a mask?

 

Image: Reuters

 

Authorities on Tuesday announced there are now 14 confirmed infections of the coronavirus in Thailand. 

 

Five of the patients have already made a full recovery and have been discharged, while eight others remain in hospitals in Bangkok and another patient is in Hua Hin. 

 

As of Tuesday (28 Jan), coronavirus has infected at least 4,500 people and killed 106, although at the time of publishing there have been no reported deaths outside of China.

 

For the past week there has been little escaping news coverage of the coronavirus and no doubt your social media feeds and news bulletins have lit up with terms like “deadly virus”, “rapidly expanding outbreak” and “fears of a global pandemic”.

 

But how worried should you be?

 

We’ve sifted through a wide range of news and taken advice from a leading Bangkok hospital, as well as reviewed the preventative information from the Thai government regarding coronavirus.

 

What is coronavirus?

 

According to the World Health Organisation, ‘coronavirus’ is a group term used for a family of viruses that cause a wide range of illnesses, from a common cold to the much more severe Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

 

The particular strain of coronavirus originated in Wuhan, China on 7 January and is a new strain that is now officially named as 2019-nCoV.

 

What are the symptoms?

 

According to the WHO, like most cases of flu, signs of 2019-nCoV infections could include a sudden high temperature, fever, cough, shortness of breath, breathing difficulties, shivering, chills and aching muscles, pain in limbs or joints.

 

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus is transmitted between people is similar to how a common cold is spread – through coughing, sneezing and close contact.

 

Who is most at risk?

 

Typically, young people, senior citizens and those with immune deficiencies or existing health problems are at greater risk, as is the case with most diseases.

 

For reference, most of the early infections of people in Thailand are in those aged over 60 years old.

 

In the case 2019-nCoV officials have said it is too early to say which groups are most at risk, other than saying those at greatest risk of contracting the disease remain people who have travelled to Wuhan or been in contact with people from the region at the centre of the outbreak.

 

How serious is coronavirus?

 

Despite there being more than 100 deaths and 4,500 infections of coronavirus, it’s actually still too early to say how serious the coronavirus is and crucially, too early to say if it is any more dangerous than normal influenza.

 

Each year seasonal flu kills around 400,000 people globally, meaning it has a mortality rate of approximately 1 percent. 

 

By comparison, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) that killed nearly 800 people between 2002 and 2003 had a mortality rate of 10 percent.

 

While data will become more accurate, early estimates put the current 2019-nCoV mortality rate at around 3 percent. While this is three times higher than that of seasonal flu, the fact the outbreak is relatively new and the lack of a widely administered vaccine are likely to contribute to the figures. 

 

What is being done in Thailand?

 

At the time of publishing, Thailand had just confirmed it had 14 cases of coronavirus infections. Earlier this week it was revealed that 20,000 people travelled from Wuhan to Thailand in December alone, while The Nation reported 7,000 passengers from Wuhan passed through Don Mueang up until 24 Jan.

 

Some of the measures taken by the authorities in Thailand include cancelling flights to and from Wuhan and neighbouring cities, thermal scanning all Chinese tourists arriving at border checkpoints in Thailand and stepping up cleaning in places such as shopping malls, public transportation, hospitals and hotels. 

 

All Chinese nationals arriving in Thailand are having their temperature taken. Anyone found to have a high temperature is sent to hospital for further treatment. 

 

Should you panic?

 

In a word: no. 

 

While the spread of the virus is worrying, the World Health Organization has said that the outbreak is an emergency for China and is not yet a global health emergency, although that could change at any moment. 

 

Despite Thailand having the highest number of infections outside of China, if you are reading this from your armchair in ‘Nakhon Nowhere’, you have little to worry about in the way of coronavirus infection. 

 

Even if you live or have visited locations in Thailand popular with Chinese tourists such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai, the risk of you getting infected remains very small. 

 

At the time of publishing, by comparison, those of you in Thailand should be more concerned with being involved in a fatal road traffic accident when you go out tonight than being infected with 2019-nCoV, especially if you have not recently travelled to Wuhan or been in close contact with someone from the outbreak region.

 

Practice precaution, not paranoia

 

While there are infections of coronavirus in Thailand, it may be beneficial to take some precautionary measures. But it is certainly not necessary to become paranoid that you will be struck down with the virus whenever you visit your nearest shopping mall.

 

Some of the precautionary measures you may wish to take are very much linked to simple good hygiene practices, which you should be doing anyway.

 

These include, making sure you wash your hands regularly and that any food you eat, particularly meat and eggs are cooked thoroughly. You may also want to consider carrying a hand sanitizer, but this is by no means essential. If you happen to sneeze, try and sneeze into a tissue rather than your hands.

 

Should you wear a mask?

 

There are a lot of conflicting views on whether wearing a face mask offers any help in reducing the risk of infection from coronavirus. 

 

According to some experts, wearing a mask out in public may actually make the situation worse. 

 

It is also important to determine what type of mask you are wearing. The disposable surgical face masks, like the type worn by surgeons, are meant to be only worn once and disposed of properly. 

 

"Sometimes it can actually present some risks, as you're putting your fingers up and down on your face, removing your mask, putting them next to your eyes," said Canada's chief public health officer Dr Theresa Tam earlier this week.

 

The N95 masks may offer some greater protection, but are by no means fail safe and may even restrict breathing.

 

Wearing a facemask actually isn’t part of the official advice on coronavirus from Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health. 

 

However, officials in Thailand have been handing them out for free to members of the public in an attempt to help keep them safe from possible infection.

 

At the time of publishing, the official advice from Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health is as per the graphic below:

 

 

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What's a mask gonna do?

4 minutes ago, spiekerjozef said:

What's a mask gonna do?

Makes some of the ‘double-baggers’ look more approachable ????

23 minutes ago, spiekerjozef said:

What's a mask gonna do?

Apart from not much,not much!

I wear a mask because the bad air. That it safes me from the virus is a plus.

 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/01/24/coronavirus-versus-flu-influenza-deadlier-than-wuhan-china-disease/4564133002/?fbclid=IwAR31VNhP9XfSdtcLln1rQ30gRkbDswgd07yU9D3jJWn7tGWr3-gQVBErQeY

54 minutes ago, spiekerjozef said:

What's a mask gonna do?

Mostly keep others safe.

 

If you want better protection, goggles and even gloves are recommended. Most cold viruses are caught through the eyes and tear ducts, often via hand contact.

 

I've seen a number of different opinions on this including some from people with a medical background saying masks are useless but that seems to be based simply on theoretical reasoning related to the size of virus particles, rather than actual scientific studies.

 

However according to the Healthline article referenced below, a number of studies have shown that wearing a mask - if combined with frequent hand washing, can reduce the chances of contracting a viral infections by between 70 and 80%.

 

Studies show masks do help

 

It should be noted however that at least one of the studies, "found no reduction in symptoms for mask use alone. This finding suggests that the use of masks should always be paired with regular hand washing."

 

 

8 minutes ago, rabas said:

Mostly keep others safe.

 

If you want better protection, goggles and even gloves are recommended. Most cold viruses are caught through the eyes and tear ducts, often via hand contact.

 

Yes.

The goggles swimmers wear will work fine.

Disposable gloves and a quality mask 

My Doctor yesterday told me to wear a mask, so I will follow his advice.

3 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Yes.

The goggles swimmers wear will work fine.

Disposable gloves and a quality mask 

Showering every time you come back to your citadel isn't a bad idea .. ah yeah the drought. <deleted>.

 

One more thing: avoid AirBnB. Lots of Chinese.

is there a mask that works?

Just now, Don Mega said:

is there a mask that works?

Surgical masks that filter for under 0.12 microns, combined with a full face visor. 

 

Thinking of it .. a motorcycle helmet that covers your entire head together with a surgical mask might do it. Unless the virus can be transmitted through small cuts, etc. Then you'll need a full hazmat suit.

 

The thing that works is staying home and not letting anybody in.

7 minutes ago, DrTuner said:

Surgical masks that filter for under 0.12 microns, combined with a full face visor. 

 

Thinking of it .. a motorcycle helmet that covers your entire head together with a surgical mask might do it. Unless the virus can be transmitted through small cuts, etc. Then you'll need a full hazmat suit.

 

The thing that works is staying home and not letting anybody in.

I like the idea of the hazmat suit... prolly too late though as we have record numbers of people calling in sick and those that do show up are coughing and sneezing like crazy.

But Prayut said Thailand has it 100% under control so there's is nothing to worry about !!

Those paper masks made from a strip of toilet paper and 2 elastic bands make me laugh. Useless !

Here is what you need if you want to be safe - but who wants to wear one ?

With a positive pressure respirator, the air pressure inside the facepiece is greater than the air pressure outside the mask. If the seal between the face and mask is not tight, air leaks away from the worker's face. ... A powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) is an example of a positive pressure respirator.

 

hahahahaha. masks do nothing? hahahahaha

I live in the sticks, Isan doesn't do corona.

4 minutes ago, canthai55 said:

With a positive pressure respirator, the air pressure inside the facepiece is greater than the air pressure outside the mask. If the seal between the face and mask is not tight, air leaks away from the worker's face. ... A powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) is an example of a positive pressure respirator.

 

You still need to get the pressurised air from somewhere. Meaning you'll have to carry a compressor with 0.12micron intake filters. A bit cumbersome.

Just now, soalbundy said:

I live in the sticks, Isan doesn't do corona.

I know, it's Leo mostly. As long as you keep away from other people, which in the sticks is easier, all good. Ah and don't screw the animals.

 

these are the masks I brought from the USA in 2014 when I moved to Thailand.

note the soft rubber that fits to your face and the hard plastic case and straps like a scuba mask. filters are replaceable.  

 

these are N100 masks.

 

M 8233, N100 HEPA Particulate Respirator 3M 8233 N100, HEPA certificated, have a minimum filter efficiency of 99.97% of particulate mater of less than 0.3 micron. This is the best rated filter by the CDC and WHO and is recommended for ultimate protection.

3m 8233 meet the CDC recommendation for protection against Ebola virus.

33 minutes ago, canthai55 said:

Those paper masks made from a strip of toilet paper and 2 elastic bands make me laugh. Useless !

Here is what you need if you want to be safe - but who wants to wear one ?

With a positive pressure respirator, the air pressure inside the facepiece is greater than the air pressure outside the mask. If the seal between the face and mask is not tight, air leaks away from the worker's face. ... A powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) is an example of a positive pressure respirator.

 

Actually  true. But in reality is easier to become anti social  and an obsessive hand washing indoors youtube fanatic with a weapon to  drop invaders at  50 metres distance away .....that is if you are a unfit unhealthy wheezing old  git same as the  majority of those who have succumbed. Has nobody  noted that the majority of the  victims have already recovered and  quite  quickly at that?

 

3 minutes ago, Dumbastheycome said:

Actually  true. But in reality is easier to become anti social  and an obsessive hand washing indoors youtube fanatic with a weapon to  drop invaders at  50 metres distance away .....that is if you are a unfit unhealthy wheezing old  git same as the  majority of those who have succumbed. Has nobody  noted that the majority of the  victims have already recovered and  quite  quickly at that?

 

No, where's the table thumping opportunities in that?

 

This way you get to have a go at Immigration, the Government, the Chinese and TAT all in one go!

 

Happy days. ????

Psychologically wearing a mask is feeling more protected, even if we know that it doesn't protect much but it's always better than nothing.

Wumao

30 minutes ago, Dumbastheycome said:

Has nobody  noted that the majority of the  victims have already recovered and  quite  quickly at that?

No, I guess we haven't: https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html?fbclid=IwAR2CY5jFGa_Xl3d0BKAARqrW0RPh0FygFNHilpPq6V8fNuVz9bzSTh5J5EU#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6

 

63 recovered out of 4474. Dunno if that constitutes a majority in these days.

17 minutes ago, Dumbastheycome said:

Has nobody  noted that the majority of the  victims have already recovered and  quite  quickly at that?

Only in Thailand. China lists few recoveries. Of 11,602 confirmed + suspected cases, 106 died and 71 are listed as cured. http://3g.dxy.cn/newh5/view/pneumonia not sure why that is.

 

Critical cases are high  FP(Jan 26) 2019-ncov-china-tentative-clinical-profile

 

Hypoxemia caused by increasing lung injury leads to difficulty breathing and the need for oxygen therapy. ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) is a common complication. Between 25 and 32 percent of cases are admitted to (ICU).

 

... most patients with severe illness were healthy to begin with, including a 30-year-old man who recently died.

11 minutes ago, zydeco said:

Wumao

That's so noughties.

 

Harvard busted that one apart in 2008.

32 minutes ago, Dumbastheycome said:

Has nobody  noted that the majority of the  victims have already recovered and  quite  quickly at that?

I've seen it mentioned several times in the news stories.

13 minutes ago, ICELANDMAN said:

Psychologically wearing a mask is feeling more protected, even if we know that it doesn't protect much but it's always better than nothing.

Not necessarily. Quite often people don't use them properly and get infected by handling the masks. 

3 minutes ago, rabas said:

China lists few recoveries. Of 11,602 confirmed + suspected cases, 106 died and 71 are listed as cured. http://3g.dxy.cn/newh5/view/pneumonia not sure why that is.

I just noticed the JHU dashboard does not automatically get the figures from dxy, looks like they enter them manually a few times a day. Yours are more up to date.

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

At the time of publishing, by comparison, those of you in Thailand should be more concerned with being involved in a fatal road traffic accident when you go out tonight than being infected with 2019-nCoV, especially if you have not recently travelled to Wuhan or been in close contact with someone from the outbreak region.

Apple meet orange.

 

So, everybody is singing off the same hymn sheet. Prayut. Trump. The GOP leader of the House. CNBC. And of course they're all citing the head of WHO, who is an Ethiopian politician whose country is all but owned by China. Yep, every thing is just fine . . . . Keep bringing those tourists in, Thailand. Pump up those markets, Trump. And convince the world you're not lying, Xi.