Is new COVID-19 variant a cause of concern for Thailand?

[webfact]

A petrol attendant stands next to a newspaper headline in Pretoria, South Africa, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)

 

By Thai PBS World’s General Desk

 

With the holiday season just around the corner, Thai hearts sank when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the new COVID-19 mutant “Omicron” a variant of concern.

 

The fresh virus threat triggered fears of a new pandemic wave that could sweep away New Year festivities and wreck economic recovery.

 

However, as of press time, not a single case of Omicron had been detected in Thailand. Meanwhile, authorities and vaccine manufacturers around the world have been quick to respond to Omicron’s presence.

 

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Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/is-new-covid-19-variant-a-cause-of-concern-for-thailand/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-11-29

 

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[HappyExpat57]

When in trouble, when in doubt,
Run in circles, scream and shout.

 

Yes, it should be a concern. No, it should not be the reason to shut the country down again. News flash - we're going to have viruses and variants the rest of our lives. What doesn't kill you . . .

[ThailandRyan]

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/covid-variant-threat-worldwide-scramble-81417682

 

 Worried scientists in South Africa are scrambling to combat the lightning spread across the country of the new and highly transmissible omicron COVID-19 variant as the world grapples with its emergence.

In the space of two weeks, the omicron variant has sent South Africa from a period of low transmission to rapid growth of new confirmed cases. The country’s numbers are still relatively low, with 2,828 new confirmed cases recorded Friday, but omicron’s speed in infecting young South Africans has alarmed health 

Edited November 29, 2021 by ThailandRyan

[huangnon]

Quote

Meanwhile, authorities and vaccine manufacturers around the world have been quick to respond to Omicron’s presence.

Of course. Covid-19 is now a trillion dollar industry, with bio-tech companies starting up and being funded in the US; San Diego probably now being the world's bio-tech center.

If Covid disappears, where do these new start-ups and vaccine / testing kit manufacturing plants (and all the investment billions) go?

[ThailandRyan]

1 minute ago, huangnon said:

Of course. Covid-19 is now a trillion dollar industry, with bio-tech companies starting up and being funded in the US; San Diego probably now being the world's bio-tech center.

If Covid disappears, where do these new start-ups and vaccine / testing kit manufacturing plants (and all the investment billions) go?

Aren't all vaccines for all viruses including the flu, common colds etc...a trillion dollar business. It's just not covid vaccines so look a little farther than to play the conspiracy game.

[Jeffr2]

5 minutes ago, huangnon said:

Of course. Covid-19 is now a trillion dollar industry, with bio-tech companies starting up and being funded in the US; San Diego probably now being the world's bio-tech center.

If Covid disappears, where do these new start-ups and vaccine / testing kit manufacturing plants (and all the investment billions) go?

A trillion dollar industry for good reason.  Trying to save the lives of millions, which they've already done.  We're lucky they were already getting ramped up form something like this.  It's been predicted for some time.

[Thailand]

Based on worldwide reactions it should have been named the Omigod variant.

[BKKTRAVELER]

I am all for the country's reopening, been advocating for it for many months. But I would lie if I said I didn't find the current situation worrying. I think the ATK test with no quarantine at all on December 16th should be postponed a bit if we don't know yet the severity of the Omicron variant. Confusing times...

[Bkk Brian]

Multiplying rapidly.................

 

Monitoring wastewater for viral load estimates outbreak size In just a few weeks, in Pretoria S. Africa (north of Johannesburg) viral load detected in wastewater has reached similar levels as the peak of Delta This at least indicates that transmission may be remarkably swift

https://twitter.com/michaelmina_lab/status/1465126369608744968

 

[Thujone]

If these new variants are real, why not open everything up and party 'til we drop?

What are we waiting for?

[Walker88]

56 minutes ago, huangnon said:

Of course. Covid-19 is now a trillion dollar industry, with bio-tech companies starting up and being funded in the US; San Diego probably now being the world's bio-tech center.

If Covid disappears, where do these new start-ups and vaccine / testing kit manufacturing plants (and all the investment billions) go?

Never fear; odds are there will be a new virus coming along in the near future. The bio-tech industry will never be starved for work.

 

Since 1980, viruses have been coming fast and furious. It isn't just better detection methods; it is actual numbers.  This has not gone unnoticed by the bio-tech industry, hence the buildup.

 

HIV, SARS, MERS, Avian Flu, Swine Flu, West Nile, Ebola, Covid.....all since 1980, at least in widespread infection rates. Globalization has been a boon to the world of viruses, sending them fast, far and wide.

[smedly]

1 hour ago, HappyExpat57 said:

No, it should not be the reason to shut the country down again.

when did it open ?

 

I still see massive restrictions everywhere - it is far from open

 

It's like walking into a 7/11 where the door is open but the shelves are empty

[Rimmer]

A misleading troll post has been removed

[sungod]

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2021-11-28-dont-panic-omicron-symptoms-seem-to-be-mild-doctor/

 

Thank god for a level headed statement,

 

“At this stage there is no need to panic. In fact, I confirmed this with other colleagues in different areas in Pretoria and the Midrand as well as with specialists in hospitals.

“There is only one patient who is in ICU on a ventilator but we are not sure if it is the Omnicon or the Delta variant because the ICU does not do sequencing.”

 

We will just have to wait and see...........

[Walker88]

Several ways this could go, one of them even being a positive.

 

1) Omicron could be easily spread and deadly

 

2) Omicron could be easily spread and about as deadly as existing variants

 

3) Omicron could be easily spread and less deadly than other variants.

 

#3 is the best case, as a fast-spreading variant that isn't deadly could bring about the end of Covid, as its ability to spread quickly allows it to overwhelm the other variants. So far the evidence suggests Omicron spreads faster than Delta. Unknown still is how virulent---or not---it is.

[smedly]

this is a critical time for this variant - if it is weaker but spreads faster it could see the end of covid - if it is as deadly or more deadly then we are in big trouble 

[ikke1959]

Same with the Delta,, we deny it that it is in the country, If it comes we don't talk about it and when the cases rise we tell the people it is their own mistake, because they don't keep distance, wear a msk and want to drink alcohol.

Problems all solved......nothing to worry...

 

I am wondering why they don't take adequate measures now already, because it can prevent worse. 

[Jeffr2]

1 hour ago, sungod said:

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2021-11-28-dont-panic-omicron-symptoms-seem-to-be-mild-doctor/

 

Thank god for a level headed statement,

 

“At this stage there is no need to panic. In fact, I confirmed this with other colleagues in different areas in Pretoria and the Midrand as well as with specialists in hospitals.

“There is only one patient who is in ICU on a ventilator but we are not sure if it is the Omnicon or the Delta variant because the ICU does not do sequencing.”

 

We will just have to wait and see...........

I guess you also believed the Chinese docs who said their vaccine was very effective against the virus?  Too funny....I'll wait for a report from the WHO or CDC.

 

P.S. South Africa has a very young population.  Nothing like what's in other countries.  Impossible to compare.

[RafPinto]

The biggest shame is on the rich countries from Europe, USA, Australia, Canada etc.

Why to give vaccines for free to rich countries like Thailand etc.
Thailand doesn't need any free vaccines, it is a rich country. Don't buy submarines, buy  vaccines instead.

Those rich countries should help the less fortunate, lots of them in Africa.

[stigar]

I see that more and more countries closing the borders..Now Japan also.

[jacko45k]

9 minutes ago, stigar said:

I see that more and more countries closing the borders..Now Japan also.

So two now?

[mommysboy]

It's a concern for sure if the vaccines don't work as well.  In fact, that may signal 'square one' for Thailand.

 

But it may be a blessing if it produces milder symptoms. 

 

Right to be concerned.

 

(The article suggests a specific vaccine is round the corner- no way.  It may take a week or two to formulate, but then there are trials, approval, and scaling up.)

[trainman34014]

The usual 'Land of Denial' statement that appears automatic when problems may be around.   Probably already here but not detected yet.

[Bkk Brian]

Best case scenario, the beast, Omicron is already here in Thailand and has not been noticed along with no new clusters that have alerted officials making it nothing to really worry about but then I woke up!

 

I find it amazing that some here are peddling early reports that it has only been mild cases so far when that is completely out of context with the reality of assessing its true severity. Fact is there are serious cases and only further time will tell just how serious it is.

 

The latest update from WHO issued yesterday on Omicron highlights the reports of early mild cases and puts it into more perspective:

 

"There is currently no information to suggest that symptoms associated with Omicron are different from those from other variants.  Initial reported infections were among university students—younger individuals who tend to have more mild disease—but understanding the level of severity of the Omicron variant will take days to several weeks"

 

As does a Leading Infectious Disease expert from South Africa:

 

Just a note of caution - We know that getting a rapid understanding of disease severity with #Omicron (particularly in vaccinated individuals and re-infections) is absolutely critical, but it's just too early for reliable data. Observations from clinicians on the ground are always important, and we lean heavily on them, but we need to be cautious about jumping on early reports that all cases with this variant are mild. Most of the early spread was amongst younger people, with outbreaks in universities likely being amplification events. So with this, and the time lag for infections to progress to severe disease and hospitalisation, we would only expect to see the impact on hospitalisations in the next few weeks.

 

For some balance, here is a report on severe cases:

 

“Young people, in their 20s to just over their late 30s, are coming in with moderate to severe disease, some needing intensive care. About 65% are not vaccinated and most of the rest are only half-vaccinated,” said Mathivha. “I’m worried that as the numbers go up, the public health care facilities will become overwhelmed.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Kevin Taylor]

2 hours ago, Walker88 said:

Several ways this could go, one of them even being a positive.

 

1) Omicron could be easily spread and deadly

 

2) Omicron could be easily spread and about as deadly as existing variants

 

3) Omicron could be easily spread and less deadly than other variants.

 

#3 is the best case, as a fast-spreading variant that isn't deadly could bring about the end of Covid, as its ability to spread quickly allows it to overwhelm the other variants. So far the evidence suggests Omicron spreads faster than Delta. Unknown still is how virulent---or not---it is.

Agreed, In terms of evolution its not in a viruses best interest to rapidly kill the host. Your option 3 is kind of the goal of the virus.

Hopefully thats how it goes.

[sungod]

40 minutes ago, Jeffr2 said:

I guess you also believed the Chinese docs who said their vaccine was very effective against the virus?  Too funny....I'll wait for a report from the WHO or CDC.

 

P.S. South Africa has a very young population.  Nothing like what's in other countries.  Impossible to compare.

I'll believe the Doctor ( SA Medical Association chair ) on the ground in South Africa, not some random poster such as you.

Edited November 29, 2021 by sungod

[IamNoone88]

Cause for concern? Let's just put it like this .... I don't want to catch it.

[RichardColeman]

4 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

When in trouble, when in doubt,
Run in circles, scream and shout.

More a case of the cowboys forming a ring of caravans and then shooting at each other rather than the circling indians

[Spellforce]

... or maybe WHO just panic because that new variant spreads fast, only gives mild symptoms and will give us an immunity 1000x better than their vaccines ?

 

WHO knows ????

[brewsterbudgen]

33 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Best case scenario, the beast, Omicron is already here in Thailand and has not been noticed along with no new clusters that have alerted officials making it nothing to really worry about but then I woke up!

 

I find it amazing that some here are peddling early reports that it has only been mild cases so far when that is completely out of context with the reality of assessing its true severity. Fact is there are serious cases and only further time will tell just how serious it is.

 

The latest update from WHO issued yesterday on Omicron highlights the reports of early mild cases and puts it into more perspective:

 

"There is currently no information to suggest that symptoms associated with Omicron are different from those from other variants.  Initial reported infections were among university students—younger individuals who tend to have more mild disease—but understanding the level of severity of the Omicron variant will take days to several weeks"

 

As does a Leading Infectious Disease expert from South Africa:

 

Just a note of caution - We know that getting a rapid understanding of disease severity with #Omicron (particularly in vaccinated individuals and re-infections) is absolutely critical, but it's just too early for reliable data. Observations from clinicians on the ground are always important, and we lean heavily on them, but we need to be cautious about jumping on early reports that all cases with this variant are mild. Most of the early spread was amongst younger people, with outbreaks in universities likely being amplification events. So with this, and the time lag for infections to progress to severe disease and hospitalisation, we would only expect to see the impact on hospitalisations in the next few weeks.

 

For some balance, here is a report on severe cases:

 

“Young people, in their 20s to just over their late 30s, are coming in with moderate to severe disease, some needing intensive care. About 65% are not vaccinated and most of the rest are only half-vaccinated,” said Mathivha. “I’m worried that as the numbers go up, the public health care facilities will become overwhelmed.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's good to read some words of caution.  However, I also remember similar worries being expressed about Delta.   I doubt Omicron will be the last either!