REUTERS FILE PHOTO for reference only

 

Thailand reported 405 new COVID-19 infections on Thursday, continuing the spike of new cases in recent days.

 

Of the new cases, 391 were local transmissions, while 14 were imported from people entering quarantine.

 

Most cases were reported in Bangkok. However, cases have now been discovered in more than 30 provinces
 
A further 32 people were discharged from hospital having made a full recovery. 

 

2,114 people remain in hospital or held in a migrant worker quarantine centre.

 

Thursday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 30,310 with 95 deaths.

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-04-08

 

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When will they be able to break out the numbers on these, so we can know whether it's regular Covid or British variant?

Unless they do more testings, the numbers will remain small.

One resident in my condo was infected and everyone is panicking now. 

I just wonder they have capacity to test the community, else the virus will continue to spread.

Quite widespread across the country, with many provinces reporting new cases.

 

 

 

Official COVID-19 update in Thailand on Thursday

* 30,310 people infected (+ 405)

* 28,101 discharged from hospital (+32)

* 2,114 in hospital

* 95 deaths (+0)

 

The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration said the latest imported cases are:

France - 1

Switzerland - 1

Malaysia - 1

India - 1

Bangladesh - 2

United Arab Emirates - 6

United Kingdom - 1

Turkey - 1

Total: 14

 

Domestic cases - 197

 

Proactive case finding in communities - 194

 

https://www.facebook.com/nbtworld/posts/10157936233297050

 

Local CV cases for Thursday by province, not including the 14 new imported cases reported by the government. The list has two categories, first locally reported cases and cases found via "proactive" outreach. Where a province is listed in both columns (such as with Bangkok and Chiang Mai below), you need to combine both figures to get the province's new case total for the day.

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/nbtworld/posts/10157936260197050

 

I hope they're good at multi tasking, the situation surrounding the outbreaks in factories, markets and prisons may not be resolved yet either. I'd say its all hands to the pump on this, no holidays for the cabinet, get the outbreaks sorted first then bring the happiness back to the people...................????

Because of the big jump in cases in Narathiwat to 146 cases there related to an outbreak at a local prison, the following chart shows a breakdown of the day's new cases where BKK, for the first time in some days, doesn't have the largest share:

 

Samut Sakon: 9 cases, 2.3%

Bangkok: 95 cases, 24.3%

Other Provinces: 287 cases, 73.4%

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/informationcovid19/posts/301940608090937

 

Thursday's EN language COVID news briefing video runs about 15 minutes:

 

8 April 2021-- An update from the Thai government regarding Thailand's #COVID19 situation, reporting from the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) at Government House

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/thailandprd/videos/289339332755092/

 

"The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has released a list of 21 restaurants and bars in eight districts of Bangkok warning people that if they went there after 22 March they could be at risk.

 

Please visit http://bkkcovid19.bangkok.go.th or call the hotline 02-203-2393, 02-203-2396, 02-203-2883 or use the QR code for self assessment."

 

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/nbtworld/posts/10157936209572050

 

A big thank you to @TallGuyJohninBKK for the timely and extensive updates.

 

Thanks John, it's genuinely appreciated.

The latest past week summary of daily local case totals, excluding imported cases:

 

 

And the latest COVID case trendline map released by the Ministry of Public Health. It shows two subgroups of COVID cases overlapped on each other on the graph, the locally reported cases shown by the red line, and the outreach testing cases shown by the tan colored bars. The chart shows data going back to mid December 2020.

 

 

Both charts were part of a nearly 40-page packet of slides/graphics released by the government in their COVID update for the day.

 

https://www.facebook.com/informationcovid19/posts/301957944755870

 

 

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1213040-thailand-set-to-close-all-bars-pubs-massage-parlours-in-41-provinces-for-14-days/

 

In their EN language news briefing  this morning, the CCSA spokesman said the current plan regarding entertainment venues in the 41 provinces does NOT call for closing restaurants.

 

He said restrictions against restaurants would be considered instead on "a case by case basis."

 

 

Work from Home in April

In light of the emergence of the UK COVID strain in Thailand, "which spreads very very quickly," the government's CCSA spokesman today said the government is encouraging government agencies and the private sector to allow their employees to work from home for the remainder of April, as appropriate, as much as possible. (10 min, 55 second point in the video).

 

https://www.facebook.com/thailandprd/videos/289339332755092/

 

 

The question of quarantine for Song Kran travelers from COVID outbreak areas such as Bangkok heading to other provinces continues to get mixed and seemingly contradictory reporting today.

 

ThaiVisa has a news thread with a government NNT news report quoting the Public Health minister saying no quarantines.

 

 

Yet other sources such as the Thai Enquirer continue today to report on quarantines being enacted by various outlying provinces.

 

Provinces introduce different measures to curb spread of Covid-19

 

"Provinces around the country are placing restrictions on people traveling from the capital after a string of outbreak clusters in Bangkok, local authorities announced on Thursday.

 

Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Phitsanulok, Bueng Kan, Roi Et and Surin have all placed restrictions on people travelling from Bangkok, Pathumthani, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan and Nakhon Pathom.

 

The restrictions came after the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said on Wednesday that the new cluster, that was found at entertainment venues in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, had led to 291 confirmed cases between March 22 and April 6."

 

https://www.thaienquirer.com/26248/provinces-introduce-different-measures-to-curb-spread-of-covid-19/

 

Part of the confusion and contradictory reporting  may be related to the CCSA today clarifying that, contrary to an earlier proposal, BKK and the four other provinces were NOT being declared as "red zones" and would remain in the "orange zone" category.

 

 

Reported cases are just the tip of the iceberg. 3x+ would probably be closer since they don't do mass testing.

7 minutes ago, Jeffr2 said:

Reported cases are just the tip of the iceberg. 3x+ would probably be closer since they don't do mass testing.

I think you are are far out on that too.   Based on the world chart in round figures Thailand has undertaken 8 million tests. The UK with a similar population has done 132 million tests. So if you pro-rata that up then based on todays declared figure in Thailand of a further 405 detected case then it would be around 16.5 times that figure which would put todays realistic figures at 6,682 had they been testing to the same degree.

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

It would seem that this site depends on others reporting actual news and figures and even then what little is reported is a lift.

 

A bit more on the entertainment venues closure order affecting 41 provinces and the April work from home plans:

 

"The spokesman said the closure would take effect when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha signs the order at a meeting on Friday.

 

Health and security officials agreed in talks on Thursday that a blanket closure in all provinces was not necessary. They opted for what Dr Taweesilp called "target therapy" in provinces with the potential to spread COVID-19."

...

The CCSA spokesman said there would be no U-turn on the closure decision. The centre decided to make it public ahead of the signing of the order on Friday so that businesses could prepare in advance.

 

The meeting on Friday would also announce a work from home policy for state agencies and encourage private firms to allow their employees to also work from home."

 

https://www.facebook.com/nbtworld/posts/10157936420282050

 

A small accommodation aimed at travelers who may be rethinking their Song Kran travel plans. No mention of air travel.

 

 

"According to the the Transport Ministry, all departments providing public transport services to grant a full fare refund to those who wish to cancel their tickets purchased before the Songkran holiday.

...

However, for people to receive the full refund they must return their tickets at least 24 hours before departure time.

 

Meanwhile, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) announced that it would allow customers who bought tickets for the April 9-18 period to get a full refund provided that they cancel their trip at least 24 hours before departure, or one hour before departure in the case that the destination is suddenly announced as a maximum control area by the government."

 

https://www.facebook.com/nbtworld/posts/10157936332512050

 

 

TNAMCOT news reporting on twitter that Deputy Police commissioner says a total of 24 police officers are infected, 11 of those at the Thong Lor Police station

2 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

I hope they're good at multi tasking, the situation surrounding the outbreaks in factories, markets and prisons may not be resolved yet either. I'd say its all hands to the pump on this, no holidays for the cabinet, get the outbreaks sorted first then bring the happiness back to the people...................????

And the very first thing most of the Cabinet do is take a 14 Day self Quarantine / Isolation Break

Some of them did the same when the last outbreak started to put pressure on.

 

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has decided to cancel all [government-sponsored] Songkran activities in all districts to curb COVID-19 from spreading further after a new cluster of cases linked to entertainment venues in Thong Lo swiftly spread to other areas.

 

Deputy Bangkok Governor Kriangyos Sudlabha said the Songkran activities at Lan Khon Meuang Plaza in Phra Nakhon district and activities scheduled to be held in other districts will be cancelled, adding that all entertainment venues on Khaosan Road would also be shut from April 7 to 12.

 

He urged public and private organizations which cannot cancel their planned Songkran festivities to employ strict measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

 

https://www.facebook.com/nbtworld/posts/10157936236332050

 

6 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

TNAMCOT news reporting on twitter that Deputy Police commissioner says a total of 24 police officers are infected, 11 of those at the Thong Lor Police station

 

Had a similar report on that last night re Thong Lo police:

 

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1212913-thailand-reports-334-new-covid-19-cases-on-wednesday/?do=findComment&comment=16372029

 

"NBT World / the National News Bureau of Thailand also is reporting that 9 of nearly 190 police officers tested at the Thong Lo police station thus far have tested positive for COVID and been hospitalized, and another 22 officers considered to be close contacts are going to serve 14-day quarantines.  The report said the 9 officers were among those who had been inspecting Thong Lo nightlife venues."

46 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

A bit more on the entertainment venues closure order affecting 41 provinces and the April work from home plans:

 

"The spokesman said the closure would take effect when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha signs the order at a meeting on Friday.

 

Health and security officials agreed in talks on Thursday that a blanket closure in all provinces was not necessary. They opted for what Dr Taweesilp called "target therapy" in provinces with the potential to spread COVID-19."

...

The CCSA spokesman said there would be no U-turn on the closure decision. The centre decided to make it public ahead of the signing of the order on Friday so that businesses could prepare in advance.

 

The meeting on Friday would also announce a work from home policy for state agencies and encourage private firms to allow their employees to also work from home."

 

https://www.facebook.com/nbtworld/posts/10157936420282050

 

Be good to see the RTP implementing a work from home policy rather than having these outlaws on the streets ????

Given that most of the vaccines Thailand has been administering thus far have been the Sinovac vaccine (bottom of the chart), and now there's increasing evidence of the UK variant of the virus spreading here, the following chart posted by the Thai media today is not good news.

 

 

COVID-19 vaccine efficacy against variants

 

Source: UW Medicine; Reuters; Lancet; Lancet Preprint; Biorxiv; Moderna; Nature; New England Joural of Medicine; Imperial College London; CDC; CoV-lineages.org, Business Insider

 

https://www.facebook.com/nbtworld/posts/10157936367477050

 

The following chart from the government earlier this week shows that they have allocated, thus far, about 10 times as many doses of the Sinovac vaccine compared to their current availability of AstraZeneca doses.

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/OICDDC/posts/3850257965094768

 

Another jump today, but the good PM General Prayut and the MOPH Anutin has indicated it is all under control and that everyone needs to spend money and travel to the ends of the earth to see family for the Thai New Year.  He has also said they will handle whatever happens.  Not sure he realizes where this thing might be headed, but now with venues closing in 41 provinces for the next 14 days you will have more people crammed into family homes and in close proximity.  Do they believe that people will take the incentive knowing what's happening and stay home instead of having Sanuk.  This is TIT, when has anyone known a Thai to miss going home, and drinking with family and friends? Now without venues to go to I foresee major drunken fights occurring in the villages, more than the usual.  How many Hi-So's are infected now as well as Government ministers?

14 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

How many Hi-So's are infected now as well as Government ministers?

 

Concern among business leaders after covid cases found at CEO seminar

"A seminar for business leaders in Thailand has become a potential hot zone for Covid-19 infections after several participants tested positive for coronavirus, the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) said on Thursday.  

 

Rungruang Kitphati, the spokesman of the Public Health Ministry, told reporters that the “Digital Transformation For CEO#3” seminar that was arranged on April 2 has led to three confirmed Covid-19 cases.

...

Online photos show that many people at the event were not wearing masks while they were drinking and there was no social distancing. Sources that attended the event told Thai Enquirer that there was an after-party gathering at Cassette Bar in Sukhumvit Ekamai."

 

Note: the Cassette Bar is one of those establishments on the MoPH list as being part of the entertainment venue COVID case cluster.

 

https://www.thaienquirer.com/26296/concern-among-business-leaders-after-covid-cases-found-at-ceo-seminar/

 

 

Yesterday, there was talk of the government preparing for the possibility of opening one or more emergency field hospitals in BKK or elsewhere -- in the event the COVID case numbers spiral beyond the levels the regular hospitals can accommodate [remember, the current policy is that confirmed COVID cases are hospitalized].

 

Today, for the first time, I also saw mention in one of their planning documents of something I believe they called "Alternate Hospital Quarantine" -- which was explained as the notion of potentially also allowing current ASQ hotels to take the overflow of confirmed COVID cases for people not showing symptoms or particular illness.

 

https://www.facebook.com/informationcovid19/posts/302027334748931

 

"Prepare 3 levels to support infections that may increase in the future if there aren't enough beds with the following directions.

 

1. Expanding more beds from state and private hospital.

2. AHQ (Alternative Hospital Quarantine) at a hotel working alongside a hospital that can support infected people who don't show symptoms or have lesser symptoms.

3. Prepare for the field hospital in ... province which can be opened immediately when ordering."