Thailand reports 20,571 new COVID-19 cases and 23,159 recoveries

[dinsdale]

1 hour ago, Olmate said:

Fact is you don,t know why! 

Brilliant retort. I can't argue against that. I can ask a question though. DO YOU? Do you know why recovered doubled? Maybe the fact is you don't know. 

[dinsdale]

53 minutes ago, robblok said:

What i have read is that after 10 days or more your vaccine starts to work. But only after a second shot and a wait time are you fully protected. So basically they should treat people who have had only 1 shot and less then 10 days before getting the virus as unvaccinated. 

2-3 weeks 1st jab.

[Kadilo]

10 minutes ago, anchadian said:

The TOPHOTELPROJECTS construction database reveals that Thailand’s hotel pipeline is looking promising, with established travel destinations set to see the most rapid growth.

In the next few years, 126 hotels with 31,053 keys are due to open across Thailand, our research team reports. We take a closer look at these upcoming launches.

Thailand’s hotel openings by date

Despite the ongoing Covid-related travel restrictions facing many international tourists, Thailand’s hotel sector seems to have high hopes for the future. In the second half of 2021 alone, 32 properties with 2,400 rooms are scheduled to go live across the country.

https://tophotel.news/country-overview-thailand-to-gain-31000-new-hotel-rooms-infographic/

 

I would think they are anticipating the relaxing of lockdown and opening up. 

[Kadilo]

1 hour ago, anchadian said:

National Vaccination Rollout:

 

DAY 67: 219,840 <— holiday

DAY 68: 683,832

DAY 69: 284,378 <— Saturday

DAY 70: 162,511 <— Sunday

DAY 71: 508,498

DAY 72: 518,118

DAY 73: 548,311 DAY

DAY 74: 651,606

DAY 75: 609,435

TOTAL: 22,327,580 doses

 

https://twitter.com/ThaiNewsReports/status/1428959186600136704

 

Surely they are going to run of vaccines soon at this rate. ????

[dinsdale]

1 hour ago, brewsterbudgen said:

So hopefully there will be some relaxation of the restrictions next month.

US and UK have relaxed restrictions. High vaccination rates. Spreading through the unvaccinated. Thailand is basically unvaccinated. It's a gamble to relax restrictions in high vaccinated countries. In low vaccinated countries it's going to be bad.

[anchadian]

6 hours ago, anchadian said:

Chonburi Public Health Office is reporting 1,235 new cases today and 12 more deaths. Most new cases are in Chonburi City (295), Bang Lamung/Pattaya (226), and Si Racha (330). There are now 20,236 patients in care #COVID19 #โควิดวันนี้ #Thailand

 

https://twitter.com/ThaiNewsReports/status/1428863417394237440

 

Further details:

https://thepattayanews.com/2021/08/21/chonburi-reports-1235-new-covid-19-cases-with-12-deaths-1235-people-recovered/

[Kadilo]

1 hour ago, brewsterbudgen said:

So hopefully there will be some relaxation of the restrictions next month.

If those forecasts are accurate I’m sure it won’t be long before there are some relaxations and priorities such as children’s education is opened end up. 
 

The Hotel sector seem bullish going by the post reported above so I would expect restrictions on international travel to follow. 
 

 

Edited August 21, 2021 by Kadilo

[Bkk Brian]

The Thai Public Health Ministry has conducted a studies on the efficacy of various vaccines given to Thai people against #COVID19 Delta variant. This is their own info. Note that 2 Sinovac shots yield the lowest protection level of protection. #Thailand #WhatsHappeningInThailand

https://twitter.com/PravitR/status/1428943930129719304

 

[Caldera]

As long as there are still people dying at home on a daily basis, it's safe to assume that the hospitals still cannot cope. News that we've already seen the peak might well be premature, especially when there are 7,000 positive ATK cases that just don't get added to the official numbers. 

[anchadian]

Should Thailand's tourism reopening programs be suspended?

In many ways, Thailand's simultaneous efforts to ease the Covid-19 health crisis and reopen international tourism exist in a state of friction. (Island Watch #12)

Is it fair to encourage vaccinated international tourists to visit Phuket when most vaccinated Thai citizens who live in Thailand are banned from entering Phuket? Is it sound policy to let foreign tourists into a country enduring a Covid-19 crisis characterized by lockdowns, hospital bed shortages and a low vaccination rate? Are they needed to save what’s left of Thailand’s tourism industry?

 

https://thaiislandtimes.substack.com/p/should-thailands-tourism-reopening

[Kadilo]

2 hours ago, champers said:

An interesting article on the front page of today's Bangkok Post suggesting that Covid infections "may have peaked".

The source of the story is an assistant spokeswoman for the CCSA. 

Fewer than 10,000 cases per day are forecast for early September and 2000+ per day from the end of September.

The data for these predictions is based on the Delta variant outbreak pattern in India.

Great news. I’m sure they would have done some extensive modelling to compare the two. 

[Bkk Brian]

Pharmacies to distribute 8.5m antigen test kits to risk groups

 

According to the council president, Jiraporn Limpananont, citizens in the risk group must register with the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to receive the ATK. Those categorised as risk groups include:
▪︎Families of patients
▪︎Those who have travelled to places where there were patients
▪︎People who are likely to be infected, such as those coughing or having fever

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005061

[Bkk Brian]

4 minutes ago, anchadian said:

Should Thailand's tourism reopening programs be suspended?

In many ways, Thailand's simultaneous efforts to ease the Covid-19 health crisis and reopen international tourism exist in a state of friction. (Island Watch #12)

Is it fair to encourage vaccinated international tourists to visit Phuket when most vaccinated Thai citizens who live in Thailand are banned from entering Phuket? Is it sound policy to let foreign tourists into a country enduring a Covid-19 crisis characterized by lockdowns, hospital bed shortages and a low vaccination rate? Are they needed to save what’s left of Thailand’s tourism industry?

 

https://thaiislandtimes.substack.com/p/should-thailands-tourism-reopening

Nailing it there with those difficult questions that officials shy away from

[dinsdale]

1 minute ago, Kadilo said:

If those forecasts are accurate I’m sure it won’t be long before there are some relaxations and priorities such as children’s education is opened end up. 
 

The Hotel sector seem bullish going by the post reported above so I would expect restrictions on international travel to follow. 
 

 

By "it won't be long" how long do you mean? Ballpark figure. Simple question so no trolling involved. I'd like to know what you think in reference to schools openning. Make a statement like "I'm sure" and be prepared to back it up.

[dinsdale]

9 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

The Thai Public Health Ministry has conducted a studies on the efficacy of various vaccines given to Thai people against #COVID19 Delta variant. This is their own info. Note that 2 Sinovac shots yield the lowest protection level of protection. #Thailand #WhatsHappeningInThailand

https://twitter.com/PravitR/status/1428943930129719304

 

Sinovac+AZ is better than AZ+AZ?

[Bkk Brian]

1 minute ago, dinsdale said:

Sinovac+AZ is better than AZ+AZ?

Yet to read the study on that. I think they have it on a post it note somewhere????

[anchadian]

The Department of Medical Sciences joined hands with Siriraj Hospital in researching the level of immunity in serum from people who have been vaccinated with different brands, which also includes the "mix and match" vaccinations and the heterologous prime-boost with a third dose. The researchers are focusing on the Delta variant, which has a 90% infection rate in Thailand. They use the Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT), which is a standard test that operates in laboratories that work at biosafety level 3 (BSL-3), to find the antibodies after vaccination. The research indicates that each group of volunteers has a different immunity level to the Delta variant. The mix and match vaccine CoronaVac and AstraZeneca (SV+AZ) has higher immunity than two doses of CoronaVac (SV+SV) and is equal to two doses of AstraZeneca (AZ+AZ) but takes a shorter time. The vaccination with two doses of CoronaVac and followed by the AstraZeneca as a booster dose can stimulate 11 times the immunity level, while the third dose, a boost with Sinopharm, can stimulate 2.5 times the immunity level. The department has reassured the public that the vaccine combinations SV+AZ and SV+SV+AZ are safe and proper for the current situation in Thailand. They will research the immunity level for the Beta variant in the next phase to collect more data for managing vaccinations with the most effectiveness for the public. (20/08/2021)

 

https://thailand.prd.go.th/more_news.php?cid=2&filename=index

Edited August 21, 2021 by anchadian

[gearbox]

31 minutes ago, anchadian said:

Should Thailand's tourism reopening programs be suspended?

In many ways, Thailand's simultaneous efforts to ease the Covid-19 health crisis and reopen international tourism exist in a state of friction. (Island Watch #12)

Is it fair to encourage vaccinated international tourists to visit Phuket when most vaccinated Thai citizens who live in Thailand are banned from entering Phuket? Is it sound policy to let foreign tourists into a country enduring a Covid-19 crisis characterized by lockdowns, hospital bed shortages and a low vaccination rate? Are they needed to save what’s left of Thailand’s tourism industry?

 

https://thaiislandtimes.substack.com/p/should-thailands-tourism-reopening

The question is what Thailand would gain if it cancels the sandboxes and the reopening. Absolutely nothing. Would it stop or reduce the current covid wave - no. The burden is on the fully vaccinated foreigners arriving in the country, where they could be put in a hospital for 2 weeks even without any symptoms. 

Edited August 21, 2021 by gearbox

[Eric Loh]

34 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

The Thai Public Health Ministry has conducted a studies on the efficacy of various vaccines given to Thai people against #COVID19 Delta variant. This is their own info. Note that 2 Sinovac shots yield the lowest protection level of protection. #Thailand #WhatsHappeningInThailand

https://twitter.com/PravitR/status/1428943930129719304

 

I believed the percentages are related to infection by the Delta variant. All vaccines will still protect you from hospitalization and death. 

[Bkk Brian]

Just now, Eric Loh said:

I believed the percentages are related to infection by the Delta variant. All vaccines will still protect you from hospitalization and death. 

You believe correctly and you are right that they all protect, Sinovac however protects the least.

[dinsdale]

37 minutes ago, Kadilo said:

If those forecasts are accurate I’m sure it won’t be long before there are some relaxations and priorities such as children’s education is opened end up. 
 

The Hotel sector seem bullish going by the post reported above so I would expect restrictions on international travel to follow. 
 

 

 

25 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

By "it won't be long" how long do you mean? Ballpark figure. Simple question so no trolling involved. I'd like to know what you think in reference to schools openning. Make a statement like "I'm sure" and be prepared to back it up.

November? That won't be long. Next school term in fact if it's not an international school. They do things differently. Do you think this will happen? We would all like to see schools open again. Again this is a straight forward question. You said.... "I’m sure it won’t be long before there are some relaxations and priorities such as children’s education is opened end up." I'm simply asking what you mean by "it won't be long". 

[anchadian]

Flights between Phuket and Samui Will Be Resumed on 25 August

 

BANGKOK(NNT) - Thailand’s Surat Thani province will continue the “Samui Plus” program to attract vaccinated foreign tourists, with Bangkok Airways set to resume flights between Phuket and Samui Island on 25 August.

 

Surat Thani governor Witchawut Jinto said on 21 August, that 257 inoculated foreign tourists had traveled to Samui, after spending two weeks in Phuket under the “sandbox” scheme. However, flights between Phuket and Samut had been suspended from 3 August until the end of month. This means no tourists will arrive from “sandboxed” Phuket.

 

https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG210821131115645

[Bkk Brian]

5 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

COVID-19: A Catalyst for Rising Inequality in Thailand

The current COVID-19 outbreak has exacerbated the country’s already wide gap between rich and poor

 

The widening gap is most clearly manifested in vaccine inequality. So far, less than 30 percent of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19. This falls significantly short of the government’s “70 percent by October” target.

 

Given that the mortality rate is highest among the elderly and adults with preexisting health issues, poor children are at serious risk of becoming orphans. The absence of parental care can, in the long run, accelerate social issues such as drug use, teen pregnancy, and child trafficking.

 

https://thediplomat.com/2021/08/covid-19-a-catalyst-for-rising-inequality-in-thailand/

More examples of Thailand's inequality, online classes are there but lacking a laptop or spare smartphone, good initiative however from the dedicated teacher who went to the home to help.

 

Teacher appeals for help as poor student misses online classes

 

On Saturday Natthanan Choocheewa, a teacher at Srisuk Wittaya School in Non Sung district, visited her student Rungthiwa Duenklang, 16, at her home, after noting her absence from online classes for several days.

On visiting the student's house, the teacher found out the poor family had only one smartphone for online classes. Her student was forced to miss classes as she needed to share her phone with her younger brother, who too needed the gadget for his online learning.

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005063

[gearbox]

22 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

You believe correctly and you are right that they all protect, Sinovac however protects the least.

That is possible but not proven. And 2 X Sinovac + AZ offers the best protection - possible, but not proven.

 

The antibody count is one of the factors determining immunity, among others. The US FDA does not currently recommend using antibody tests to determine level of immunity:

 

https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/antibody-testing-not-currently-recommended-assess-immunity-after-covid-19-vaccination-fda-safety

 

Recommendations for Health Care Providers

• At this time, do not interpret the results of qualitative, semi-quantitative, or quantitative SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests as an indication of a specific level of immunity or protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection after the person has received a COVID-19 vaccination. While a positive antibody test can indicate an immune response has occurred (seroconversion), and failure to detect such a response may suggest a lack of immune response, more research is needed.

 

 

 One interesting thing is the lack of info about people who had covid twice. From the charts I've seen, their antibody levels are quite below compared to the vaccinated people, yet there is not much data about them getting covid again. I would assume that if it was quite frequent headlines would appear here and there. Currently EU accepts covid digital certificates for people who have been sick less than 180 days ago,  so presumably after that period they can get sick again...but do they?

 

I was looking for all-encompassing test to determine my immunity level,  there is none at the moment. This is especially important for people with auto immune diseases. However for immunisations like Hep B the surface antibody test has been accepted to determine immunity for long time. Hopefully FDA would have more info soon.

Edited August 21, 2021 by gearbox

[dinsdale]

2 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

More examples of Thailand's inequality, online classes are there but lacking a laptop or spare smartphone, good initiative however from the dedicated teacher who went to the home to help.

 

Teacher appeals for help as poor student misses online classes

 

On Saturday Natthanan Choocheewa, a teacher at Srisuk Wittaya School in Non Sung district, visited her student Rungthiwa Duenklang, 16, at her home, after noting her absence from online classes for several days.

On visiting the student's house, the teacher found out the poor family had only one smartphone for online classes. Her student was forced to miss classes as she needed to share her phone with her younger brother, who too needed the gadget for his online learning.

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005063

The digital divide. Some here have billions of dollars others have nothing and yes before the likely suspects start frantically typing I know this is a global thing.

[Olmate]

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

Brilliant retort. I can't argue against that. I can ask a question though. DO YOU? Do you know why recovered doubled? Maybe the fact is you don't know. 

 

6 hours ago, Olmate said:

You obviously have no understanding of proceedures in place for folk released back into community!

There's my response first on the topic.No mention by me of your query re numbers. Thats your diversion based on.... no facts.

[Bkk Brian]

11 minutes ago, gearbox said:

That is possible but not proven. And 2 X Sinovac + AZ offers the best protection - possible, but not proven.

 

The antibody count is one of the factors determining immunity, among others. The US FDA does not currently recommend using antibody tests to determine level of immunity:

 

https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/antibody-testing-not-currently-recommended-assess-immunity-after-covid-19-vaccination-fda-safety

 

Recommendations for Health Care Providers

• At this time, do not interpret the results of qualitative, semi-quantitative, or quantitative SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests as an indication of a specific level of immunity or protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection after the person has received a COVID-19 vaccination. While a positive antibody test can indicate an immune response has occurred (seroconversion), and failure to detect such a response may suggest a lack of immune response, more research is needed.

 

 

 One interesting thing is the lack of info about people who had covid twice. From the charts I've seen, their antibody levels are quite below compared to the vaccinated people, yet there is not much data about them getting covid again. I would assume that if it was quite frequent headlines would appear here and there. Currently EU accepts covid digital certificates for people who have been sick less than 180 days ago,  so presumably after that period they can get sick again...but do they?

 

I was looking for all-encompassing test to determine my immunity level,  there is none at the moment. This is especially important for people with auto immune diseases. However for immunisations like Hep B the surface antibody test is has been accepted to determine immunity for long time. Hopefully FDA would have more info soon.

I'm not sure what what your trying to point out regards the first segment of your first sentence? Sinocav x 2 is clearly proven to be the least effective brand in multiple international clinical and real life studies on the original variant. Its a fact delta compromises immunity in all brands and so will do the same to Sinovac. 

 

The Sinovac + AZ statement, I completely agree, a robust study needs publishing on that.

 

The rest of your post is interesting and seems a valid recommendation from US FDA, I've also mentioned this is previous posts.

[DrJack54]

Simple question ....how does it work for sandbox folk traveling to say Koh Samui.

I have read the transport guidelines. 

 

So what is open for them once there? 

Restaurants, bars etc....

How does that work for expats already there. Perhaps living there etc.

The travel from Phuket to Krabi and other destinations sounds like a pita.

[ThailandRyan]

10 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Simple question ....how does it work for sandbox folk traveling to say Koh Samui.

I have read the transport guidelines. 

 

So what is open for them once there? 

Restaurants, bars etc....

How does that work for expats already there. Perhaps living there etc.

The travel from Phuket to Krabi and other destinations sounds like a pita.

Disparite treatment. Tourist vs. Local.  One rule for a tourist and another for a local or a Thai resident who has been vaccinated as well. Silly to have different standards in my book.

Edited August 21, 2021 by ThailandRyan

[Bkk Brian]

Anything to keep sandbox alive, just change the rules, simples...........

 

New Phuket order revises conditions for suspending Sandbox scheme

 

The 90 infections in one week requirement has been removed, the issue of infections in three districts and infections in at least six subdistricts have also been removed.

Also removed is the 80% hospital bed occupancy limit.

 

 

https://www.thephuketnews.com/new-phuket-order-revises-conditions-for-suspending-sandbox-scheme-81132.php