BANGKOK (NNT) - With the Omicron variant having become the dominant strain of the coronavirus in a number of countries, one of Thailand’s top virologists is now cautioning that the variant is able to spread quickly and is hard to detect. People are asked to be aware that their close contacts may be infected and to take precautionary measures.

 

Dr. Yong Poovorawan, a virology expert at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, said that of late, there has been a trend of the Covid virus being able to spread faster via evolved variants. He said there is now a large number of patients with mild or no symptoms, who are able to spread the virus. The death rate has continually been on the decline globally, with the Wuhan variant dominating the first phase of the pandemic and incurring a fatality rate of 3-5%. Subsequent outbreaks in Europe, especially in Italy, entailed a high fatality rate but the ratio of deaths in patients has since been on the decline. The patient death rate is now lower than 2% globally and is at roughly 0.9% in Thailand. Dr. Yong added that with infections now more prominent in younger age groups, the death rate will continue to decline.

 

He explained that with most patients now having mild or no symptoms, they become potent carriers of the virus and this is one reason why infections have been spreading rapidly. He noted that almost none of the Covid-positive international travelers that entered Thailand displayed symptoms, meaning they were able to pass through temperature checks.

 

The virology expert added that the great number of Covid patients this year meant that patient timeline disclosures were no longer workable. Consequently, undiscovered patients became very effective spreaders of the virus.

 

Dr. Yong said people should bear in mind that their close contacts may be infected, and therefore disease prevention measures must be observed at all times.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2021-12-23

 

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5 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

The virology expert added that the great number of Covid patients this year meant that patient timeline disclosures were no longer workable.

No longer workable - they're giving up already.

What a great man. Telling everyone what we knew three weeks ago.

As for it being hard to detect tell that to England and other countries.. They are doing a good job of detecting it every day.

If it spreads so fast maybe it's time to ban cloth masks and force people to use proper masks?

 

https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/public-health/cloth-masks-might-not-protect-against-omicron-experts-say.html

This guy is a genius

They have in effect given up already by allowing another 90,000 people to enter under T&G knowing many will be coming in from Omicron hotspots. 
 

So just open up, stop playing lip service and give the Thai people their livelihoods back

You’d have to be incredibly naive to think it’s not already here now. With it showing mild symptoms it won’t be noticed till it’s too late

Dr Yong is obviously a Parrot; watches TV News and then repeats every word he hears !

In the US there is Fauci the Chief Medical Advisor, in the UK they have similar position with Chris Whitty Medical Officer, I guess other countries have also.

 

Pity they don't have the same here. It seems to be whoever puts a post out on facebook although I recognize his excellent qualifications.

Please, Dr.Yong, enlighten us with your great wisdom

similar to most yearly common flu...btw what are the reg flu count

 

If it spreads quickly with little to no symptoms why is everyone panicking. Let it run it’s course and let your body get the natural immunity and get life back to normal. I hate all of these scare tactics by the so called professionals. 

46 minutes ago, jcmj said:

If it spreads quickly with little to no symptoms why is everyone panicking. Let it run it’s course and let your body get the natural immunity and get life back to normal. I hate all of these scare tactics by the so called professionals. 

We still don’t know how lethal Omicron is. Perhaps it’s the same as the flu, but maybe not.

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

BANGKOK (NNT) - With the Omicron variant having become the dominant strain of the coronavirus in a number of countries, one of Thailand’s top virologists is now cautioning that the variant is able to spread quickly and is hard to detect. People are asked to be aware that their close contacts may be infected and to take precautionary measures.

This guy's on the ball yet again... thank god Thailand has such experts on tap.

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The virology expert added that the great number of Covid patients this year meant that patient timeline disclosures were no longer workable. Consequently, undiscovered patients became very effective spreaders of the virus.

So how come this expert hasn't come up with a test kit that does work?

Fantastic information Dr. nothing to worry about here as Mr Anutin stated  "90% of Thai's are following the DMHT plan much better than countries abroad"...........what a pair !!

43 minutes ago, Danderman123 said:

We still don’t know how lethal Omicron is. Perhaps it’s the same as the flu, but maybe not.

Perhaps you are waiting for the esteemed Dr Yong to post on his facebook page next week, but in the real world.................

 

People catching Omicron are 50% to 70% less likely to need hospital care compared with previous variants, a major analysis says.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-59769969

14 hours ago, sungod said:

This guy is a genius

Yup. Reads the daily mail every morning then gives a summary of his findings.

8 minutes ago, Denim said:

Yup. Reads the daily mail every morning then gives a summary of his findings.

2 weeks later........

Ah, but he's got grey hair and a white coat. He must be an expert.

Omicron variant transmits and spreads quickly.
and is over before you know it according to Thai TV last night.

And this is a statement from Thailands top Virologist.

Obviously hes a Doctor of stating the Bleeding Obvious to people that have heard it all several weeks ago.

This poor man needs a Holiday.

Ah yes. Dr Yong, on the cutting edge of medical science and the very latest covid-19 trends and analysis. Thank you.

3 hours ago, JRG23 said:

Ah yes. Dr Yong, on the cutting edge of medical science and the very latest covid-19 trends and analysis. Thank you.

Brilliant quote........ lol great belly laugh thanks....... 

20 hours ago, coolcarer said:

You’d have to be incredibly naive to think it’s not already here now. With it showing mild symptoms it won’t be noticed till it’s too late

It's here.

That's clear.

Get used to it!

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

It's here.

That's clear.

 

Yes, they announced the first cases here in Hua Hin today. The announcement came from the Prachuap governors office.

 

3 British and they didn't just arrive a few days ago....so they caught it here.

 

 

51 minutes ago, ukrules said:

Yes, they announced the first cases here in Hua Hin today. The announcement came from the Prachuap governors office.

3 British and they didn't just arrive a few days ago....so they caught it here.

 

dirty Farang again....... oh wait......

7 hours ago, JRG23 said:

Ah yes. Dr Yong, on the cutting edge of medical science and the very latest covid-19 trends and analysis. Thank you.

He must have been watching the BBC , reporting on the spread in UK.

regards Worgeordie