Thailand cannot lower its guard despite declining Covid-19 trend

[webfact]

Thailand cannot lower its guard despite declining Covid-19 trend

By The Nation

 

 

The number of new Covid-19 cases in Thailand is showing a declining trend but continues to be on the rise in Asean, making the pandemic an overhanging threat.

 

Thailand’s total Covid-19 patients rose to 2,551 with 33 new cases confirmed over a 24-hour period, and three more deaths, Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman of the government's Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), said on Sunday (April 12).

 

“Our declining number is most encouraging but we cannot let our guard down as the numbers in the rest of the world are still rising,” said Taweesin.

The 33 new cases in Sunday compares with 54 new cases on Thursday, 50 on Friday and 45 on Saturday.

 

In the first week, Thailand had 315 new cases, peaking at 724 in the 14th week.

 

“In the 15th week, new cases are 383 -- the best week for us,” said Taweesin.

 

He said many Asean countries have seen an increase in the number of new cases: Indonesia found 330 new cases, Philippines 233, Malaysia 184 and Singapore 191 on Saturday, he said.

 

New cases in India and Japan have also jumped. Thailand and South Korea are Asian countries with declining number of new cases, he said.

New confirmed cases in the Philippines and Malaysia on Sunday were 220 and 153 respectively.

 

The death toll in Thailand was 38 as of Sunday compared with 20,577 in the United States, more than 10,000 in Spain, Italy, and France while England is approaching 10,000 with 9,875 deaths as of Sunday morning, he said.

 

“Since Thailand has to engage in international trade and investment with other countries, the virus situation outside Thailand also is a cause for concern for us,” he said.

 

As of April 12 at 10am, total global virus cases were 1.78 million: the US had the most with 532,879, followed by Spain 163,027, Italy 152,271, France 129,654 and Germany 125,452, according to the CCSA.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30385838

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-04-13

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[Chazar]

makes  no  sense

[cornishcarlos]

If they aren't being honest, then they are risking a major catastrophe...

The numbers seem to be declining too consistently, as if they are on a tight schedule to re-open or something !!!

[jimbob123]

Does the reporter not check their stats? Appalling journalism. Numbers all over the place and contradictory. Like a low ability school child science report. 

[PJPom]

I have tended to use the phrase “ this is Thailand “ to show my amazement at certain reports and statistics from official sources. This report is certainly one that needs the qualification. T I T...

[Farmerkev]

Low numbers great, 2 weeks on from the mass exodus from bkk the report is 660k under close monitoring, WHY? Have they and family/friends been tested? My guess is no, no test no virus, but we will keep an eye on you anyway.

Its a joke same as doctors in my area when people i know go to get seen doctor says your ok no problem, heres prescription for paracetamol and antibiotics, you'll be fine but if not you have to come back quick

[Dukeleto]

Any figures from these guys you simply cannot trust...same goes for most other countries. Just use your own common sense.

[bkk_mike]

The wearing of masks means that asymptomatic/presymptomatic people aren't breathing out virus on others - which is the main reason this virus has spread so much more widely than 2002 SARS which was only contagious if you were showing symptoms.

 

The virus probably doesn't cope well outside in Thailand (because of the combination of heat and humidity - and UV from the sun), so if people aren't going into air-conditioned offices / shopping malls and aren't travelling together without masks in buses or the BTS or metro in Bangkok, and aren't eating in indoor restaurants or going to boxing matches indoors, where exactly is the mass spread that would raise the numbers going to happen?

 

You can hide (or miss) infected people by not doing mass testing. But you can't hide a large increase in dead bodies - so something is working here that isn't working in Europe or the USA.

 

 

Edited April 13, 2020 by bkk_mike
BTS isn't closed - but people are wearing masks on it.

[Chassa]

Chili - Thailand and Mexico - Low rates of infection - (Live long) Long Live Som Tam!

[Daveyh]

Just grin & bear it. Everywhere in the world at the moment there is a state of confusion. You may disagree with figures & statements, but just do your bit, comply & self isolate yourself as much as possible ....... it'll be helping everyone to save lives. This virus is new & like every other disease it takes time to combat it. If we all keep to the rules we will get through this together, ignore the figures ............ just follow simple rules & self isolate. Stay safe.

 

[ebean001]

i think if you wear a cloth mask with an n95 over it is best. then practice 6 ft from others. now...everything you touch has the virus is the way i think. never use my phone outside. my concern is how i treat my mask when i get home. it has the virus in the mask, right? my hands have the virus. etc.

 

remember, USA is pitiful. my daughter said only 50% wear a mask. thailand almost 100% wear a mask but i am afraid it is not always n95. By the way, the 95 means 95% effective. USA numbers should skyrocket. they are invincible, right? they wear a mask and might get shot...555. USA cannot stop the virus but Asia has a good chance. obviously, a few billion tests kits that take 15 minutes is critical.

[Rocking Robert]

But how many have you tested.

[Stargeezr]

So how many deaths in Thailand that are still getting cremated?  I would say 10 percent more than normal, but that is only my opinion. Cremation should kill the virus as well I expect.

Geezer

Edited April 13, 2020 by Stargrazer9889
error

[cornishcarlos]

21 minutes ago, Daveyh said:

If we all keep to the rules we will get through

 

I think that is the main gripe for many worldwide.... It's what governments do, after they can no longer justify using the virus as an excuse, that will be interesting..

[hobz]

14 minutes ago, Stargrazer9889 said:

So how many deaths in Thailand that are still getting cremated?  I would say 10 percent more than normal, but that is only my opinion. Cremation should kill the virus as well I expect.

Geezer

What do you base this opinion on?

[TheFishman1]

These numbers are unbelievable TIT

[apetryxx]

Since when do you shut down an entire economy over a statistically insignificant infection/death rate? Even at that, how many of these deaths are due to co-morbidity? The over reaction to this virus is truly mind boggling and the junta is using it to gain even more power over its citizenry. Others meekly follow along. Sad.

[kwonitoy]

So if you go to this website it says Phuket has 34 confirmed cases

https://covidtracker.5lab.co/

 

But if you go to CNN there's an article about Phuket being a virus hotspot with over 170 confirmed cases

https://edition.cnn.com/

 

I believe neither number to be honest

[dlclark97]

Have seen continuous bashing of foreigners for not wearing masks in public.  Yesterday my wife and I went to a large local 'fresh' outdoor market.  Estimate 250-300 people were shopping.  Never saw a foreigner NOT wearing a mask and would estimate between 5 and 10 percent of the Thais had NO masks and these included the vendors selling their food.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, Chazar said:

makes  no  sense

It does if you don't test and don't record accurately.

[Olmate]

7 minutes ago, apetryxx said:

Since when do you shut down an entire economy over a statistically insignificant infection/death rate? Even at that, how many of these deaths are due to co-morbidity? The over reaction to this virus is truly mind boggling and the junta is using it to gain even more power over its citizenry. Others meekly follow along. Sad.

Guess your not from Australia then

[Snackbar]

Why do medical professionals in the west insist masks are ineffective?

 

There is something not right about the whole situation, IMO

[hobz]

20 minutes ago, dlclark97 said:

Have seen continuous bashing of foreigners for not wearing masks in public.  Yesterday my wife and I went to a large local 'fresh' outdoor market.  Estimate 250-300 people were shopping.  Never saw a foreigner NOT wearing a mask and would estimate between 5 and 10 percent of the Thais had NO masks and these included the vendors selling their food.

I have the same experience in local markets around Chiang Mai.. most the vendors doesn't wear mask or they wear it around their neck but doesn't cover mouth / nose. Irresponsible, ignorant morons.

[sscc]

2 hours ago, cornishcarlos said:

If they aren't being honest, then they are risking a major catastrophe...

The numbers seem to be declining too consistently, as if they are on a tight schedule to re-open or something !!!

 

From the last week of March,   the weather in Thailand is getting hotter week by week. 

Do you live in Thailand ?   Or living here and not sensible to understand  ?   

[khunpa]

In my opinion Thailands low numbers are due to:

 

• Low testing rate. 
• The weather, which seems to have some effect on the virus.

That said, I think the Thailands biggest advantage is this is their culture. Them not shaking hands and hugging friends etc. must have been and is a huge disadvantage for the virus. 

 

Closing down the bars and big gatherings was a good move. This was the main places where the virus could have spread like wildfire.

 

Overall, I think the Thais are good at keeping a distance and following the rules. Everyone I know is <deleted> scared of getting infected, which is a good thing for keeping the numbers down.

 

 

[ronaldo0]

I’m highly doubtful of these numbers. I don’t know anyone here tested and for a population similar to the uk and a lot closer to the outbreak area , the people infected that died ratio seems way off ! ????

[mauGR1]

19 minutes ago, Snackbar said:

Why do medical professionals in the west insist masks are ineffective?

 

There is something not right about the whole situation, IMO

Masks, social distance, lockdowns seem to be a well reasoned strategy, but that can be effective only in the short term.

In the long term, those restrictions are likely to damage the lives of millions of people, in some case to the point of no return.

I hope our leaders know what they are doing, enough said.

[kwak250]

I talked to my parents in the u.k yesterday.

They say nobody wears masks and are told they are useless by the government.

They all are allowed legal exercise each day even when the virus has killed 10k.

I know Thailand gets bashed by many on here but I must admit I feel safer here.

I tried to persuade my parents to wear a mask if they go out but they said they would look silly and people would avoid them.

Return to the u.k?

Not at the moment I am better off here...

[BadBouy]

 

 

1 hour ago, bkk_mike said:

The wearing of masks means that asymptomatic/presymptomatic people aren't breathing out virus on others - which is the main reason this virus has spread so much more widely than 2002 SARS which was only contagious if you were showing symptoms.

 

The virus probably doesn't cope well outside in Thailand (because of the combination of heat and humidity - and UV from the sun), so if people aren't going into air-conditioned offices / shopping malls and aren't travelling together without masks in buses or the BTS or metro in Bangkok, and aren't eating in indoor restaurants or going to boxing matches indoors, where exactly is the mass spread that would raise the numbers going to happen?

 

You can hide (or miss) infected people by not doing mass testing. But you can't hide a large increase in dead bodies - so something is working here that isn't working in Europe or the USA.

 

 

"He said many Asean countries have seen an increase in the number of new cases: Indonesia found 330 new cases, Philippines 233, Malaysia 184 and Singapore 191 on Saturday, he said."

 

These countries have the same weather conditions as Thailand so I think we can rule weather. I think it is more likely there is not enough testing being done in LOS. I hope their numbers are correct but I would not bet on it. 

[SymS]

44 minutes ago, dlclark97 said:

Have seen continuous bashing of foreigners for not wearing masks in public.  Yesterday my wife and I went to a large local 'fresh' outdoor market.  Estimate 250-300 people were shopping.  Never saw a foreigner NOT wearing a mask and would estimate between 5 and 10 percent of the Thais had NO masks and these included the vendors selling their food.

Here at the market everybody wears a mask, but I've noticed some buyers lower it on their chin when talking to the sellers...