Thailand reports 3,091 new COVID-19 cases, 12 deaths, 2,688 recoveries

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Thailand on Tuesday (January 4) reported 3,091 new COVID-19 cases, 2,88 recoveries and 12 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. 

 

▶︎ Infections outside prisons: 3,089. Prisons: 2

▶︎ Recoveries: 2,688

▶︎ Total infections since April 1: 2,206,713

▶︎ Total recoveries since April 1: 2,152,895

 

Tuesday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 2,235,576 with 21,750 deaths.

 

The news comes as medical researchers have indicated that while the Omicron coronavirus variant is unlikely to replace the Delta variant due to genetic differences, it is also expected to be less severe.

 

Dr Anan Jongkaewwattana, director of the Veterinary Health Innovation and Management Research Group unit of the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), said Delta is like a sibling to the Alpha and Beta strains. However, this is not the case with the Omicron strain and so someone infected with the Delta variant can still contract the Omicron variant and carry both simultaneously.

 

He added that this year could see vaccines developed to safeguard against both variants through a single shot, similar to seasonal flu vaccines.

 

Dr Chakkarat Pittayawong-anont, director of the epidemiology division at the Department of Disease Control (DDC), meanwhile said he was confident that the Omicron variant would not cause as many critical illnesses as the Delta variant.

 

*NNT contributed to this report

 

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[Bkk Brian]

PCR test positive cases, total of 3,091 official new infections. 12 official covid deaths recorded.

 

Rapid tests dashboard not been updated yet for today

https://ddc.moph.go.th/covid19-dashboard/

 

[smedly]

They are completely ignoring rapid tests - says it all really 

[anchadian]

https://twitter.com/ThaiNewsReports/status/1478165878067716097

 

[anchadian]

Chonburi Public Health Office is reporting 499 new cases today, the highest since 12th October 2021, and no deaths. Most new cases are in Chonburi City (16), Si Racha (94), and Bang Lamung/Pattaya (336). There are 3,235 patients in care #COVID19 #โควิดวันนี้ #Thailand

 

https://twitter.com/ThaiNewsReports/status/1478168272105181184

[Bkk Brian]

just updated for what its worth.....................

https://ddc.moph.go.th/covid19-dashboard/

[ThailandRyan]

1 hour ago, Bkk Brian said:

PCR test positive cases, total of 3,091 official new infections. 12 official covid deaths recorded.

 

Rapid tests dashboard not been updated yet for today

https://ddc.moph.go.th/covid19-dashboard/

 

Looking like the static line is holding with actual PCR tested positive cases. 6 days of a semi-flat line with minor ups and downs.  With the ATK tests we can see the real story, but then that's with those they test and report.  One wonders how many are testing positive and keeping mum for fear of being tossed into a facility instead of staying home.  The other issue is those keeping quiet and continuing to work, just like one would with a regular old cold before Covid.

[Bkk Brian]

6 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Looking like the static line is holding with actual PCR tested positive cases. 6 days of a semi-flat line with minor ups and downs.  With the ATK tests we can see the real story, but then that's with those they test and report.  One wonders how many are testing positive and keeping mum for fear of being tossed into a facility instead of staying home.  The other issue is those keeping quiet and continuing to work, just like one would with a regular old cold before Covid.

Thailand's strategy of incarcerating most of those who get infected seems to be paying dividends in keeping the numbers down, who on earth wants to report a positive test if its mild symptoms or none at all, only to be then locked up for 2 weeks, especially a foreigner who has the pleasure to pay a premium for it. That and the sheer lack of official testing of course.

[Cake Monster]

1 hour ago, smedly said:

They are completely ignoring rapid tests - says it all really 

And only 2 tested positive in the Prison system

Thats only 2 among a population of over 300,000

This is a number that I find very difficult to believe, given the rapid rise of the Omicron Variant and its speed of transmission and infection rate, and the conditions in which Prisoners are kept.

It would appear that the Authorities are trying to revert back to the Smoke and Mirrors we all witnessed during the initial stages of the Delta wave .

[ThailandRyan]

2 minutes ago, Cake Monster said:

And only 2 tested positive in the Prison system

Thats only 2 among a population of over 300,000

This is a number that I find very difficult to believe, given the rapid rise of the Omicron Variant and its speed of transmission and infection rate, and the conditions in which Prisoners are kept.

It would appear that the Authorities are trying to revert back to the Smoke and Mirrors we all witnessed during the initial stages of the Delta wave .

Not just Delta, but from the very beginning of the pandemic.

[Cake Monster]

1 minute ago, ThailandRyan said:

Not just Delta, but from the very beginning of the pandemic.

Of course it was.

How remiss of me 

[Bkk Brian]

Damn, this is what I was worried about, getting seriously ****** off now

 

Phuket Communicable Disease Committee has decided to close all schools and to teach online instead from 4-14 January in order to prevent new clusters. This follows the news of 184 Covid-19 cases in one day

 

https://twitter.com/ThaiNewsReports/status/1478202920382328832

https://mgronline.com/south/detail/9650000000682

 

Yet bars/restaurants and other venues can carry on as normal, the main culprits for clusters!

Edited January 4, 2022 by Bkk Brian

[Cherrytreeview]

4 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Damn, this is what I was worried about, getting seriously ****** off now

 

Phuket Communicable Disease Committee has decided to close all schools and to teach online instead from 4-14 January in order to prevent new clusters. This follows the news of 184 Covid-19 cases in one day

 

https://twitter.com/ThaiNewsReports/status/1478202920382328832

https://mgronline.com/south/detail/9650000000682

 

Yet bars/restaurants and other venues can carry on as normal, the main culprits for clusters!

Mask wearing has been brought into schools in the UK to allow them to open.

It is now politically unthinkable in the UK to close schools.

No matter what they will remain open.

Studies are now showing the damage the initial closures did to kids mental health and learning.

[riparian]

1 hour ago, Cake Monster said:

And only 2 tested positive in the Prison system

Thats only 2 among a population of over 300,000

This is a number that I find very difficult to believe, given the rapid rise of the Omicron Variant and its speed of transmission and infection rate, and the conditions in which Prisoners are kept.

It would appear that the Authorities are trying to revert back to the Smoke and Mirrors we all witnessed during the initial stages of the Delta wave .

 

and 2 found from pro-active testing.

[Bkk Brian]

Phuket has so far confirmed 144 Omicron COVID-19 cases, including locals and foreign nationals. This has prompted authorities on the island to recommend that tourism businesses step up compliance with disease control measures.

https://twitter.com/NBTWORLDNews/status/1478229707149611010

 

[ThailandRyan]

2 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Phuket has so far confirmed 144 Omicron COVID-19 cases, including locals and foreign nationals. This has prompted authorities on the island to recommend that tourism businesses step up compliance with disease control measures.

https://twitter.com/NBTWORLDNews/status/1478229707149611010

 

Sounds like what Pattaya and Chonburi is now doing.  Should this not have been part of the requirements to begin with? Of course folks become complacent and adhering to procedures and regulations is not what a tourist wants to do while on a vacation and believe that the rules do not apply to them.

[Ohyesuare]

4 hours ago, smedly said:

They are completely ignoring rapid tests - says it all really 

Good. Hospitalizations/ICU and ventilators is what is going to matter in the coming weeks/months. It's obvious already that Omicron is spreading through Thailand like wildfire and can't be stopped, only slowed if they're lucky. We don't need a random ATK test number to tell anyone that.

[Petey11]

5 hours ago, smedly said:

They are completely ignoring rapid tests - says it all really 

Looks like they've capped PCR. test as well, almost flat for 6 days now.

[Olmate]

46 minutes ago, Petey11 said:

Looks like they've capped PCR. test as well, almost flat for 6 days now.

Love your logic! 

[Bkk Brian]

1 hour ago, Ohyesuare said:

Good. Hospitalizations/ICU and ventilators is what is going to matter in the coming weeks/months. It's obvious already that Omicron is spreading through Thailand like wildfire and can't be stopped, only slowed if they're lucky. We don't need a random ATK test number to tell anyone that.

ah the Thai way, brush under the carpet, don't plan ahead by testing just make reactionary decisions once its too late. The reason for testing be that ATK or PCR is to determine not only the current spread but also for planning of additional resources for health depts, public sectors including schools and hospitals. 

[Danderman123]

Where they are going to catch a lot of Farangs is the Covid test required to leave Thailand to go to a country that requires a test. With Omicron so widespread now, I suspect the positivity rate will be through the roof for the next 10 days. 

 

I am escaping to Brazil, but I may catch Omicron just by going shopping, and am truly worried about my PCR test. 

[Bkk Brian]

More escapees incoming....lol

 

2 Indian tourists left hospital for Bangkok after positive COVID test: health officials

 

Health officials are asking the public for any information about two Indian nationals they fear could be spreading COVID-19 in Bangkok.

Weeks after the nation plunged into a cold panic over an infected Israeli man on the loose, Chonburi’s provincial health office announced Tuesday afternoon that two tourists who had tested positive for COVID-19 had left a hospital there and were believed on their way to Bangkok.

 

Anyone with knowledge of the whereabouts of Ankit Sejwal, 30, and Preeti Panwar, 32, are encouraged to contact the Vibharam Laemchabang Hospital at 03-300-9800. 

 

https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/2-indian-tourists-left-hospital-for-bangkok-after-positive-covid-test-health-officials/

[Bkk Brian]

A team of disease control investigators are inspecting Khao San Road this afternoon after ten people tested positive after visiting a famous pub during 30-31 December 2021. Closures are expected to be announced #Bangkok #Thailand

 

https://twitter.com/ThaiNewsReports/status/1478258688091590658

 

[ThailandRyan]

2 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

A team of disease control investigators are inspecting Khao San Road this afternoon after ten people tested positive after visiting a famous pub during 30-31 December 2021. Closures are expected to be announced #Bangkok #Thailand

 

https://twitter.com/ThaiNewsReports/status/1478258688091590658

 

Wait were folks not having to show they were vaccinated and show a negative test taken 72 hours prior or take an ATK test on site? Ambulances were also supposedly standing by.

 

If thats the case, then this does not bode well for the Pattaya Fireworks or Phuket Countdown festivities held.

 

Operators are standing by to take your reservation for a room at the Inn.......sarcasm.

[Bkk Brian]

Now the blame game has started from Anutin

 

Anutin puts surge in Covid-19 cases down to irresponsible partygoers, venues

 

Thailand’s daily Covid-19 caseload has risen to more than 3,000 after the New Year break because of some people’s irresponsible behaviour and entertainment venues ignoring prevention measures, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Tuesday.

He also blamed agencies for allowing entertainment venues to change their status to restaurants without checking if all prevention measures were in place.

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010729

[edwinchester]

2 hours ago, Ohyesuare said:

Good. Hospitalizations/ICU and ventilators is what is going to matter in the coming weeks/months. It's obvious already that Omicron is spreading through Thailand like wildfire and can't be stopped, only slowed if they're lucky. We don't need a random ATK test number to tell anyone that.

Testing early in the course of the illness enables individuals to isolate themselves – reducing the chances that they will infect others and allowing them to seek treatment earlier. If they isolate at home that frees up beds for sicker individuals. Testing also enables authorities to identify clusters, target resources and help to trace those at risk.

[stigar]

Denmark confirms 18 deaths because of omicron.

[jacko45k]

8 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

He also blamed agencies for allowing entertainment venues to change their status to restaurants without checking if all prevention measures were in place.

And the reason they did that was because the restrictions on alcohol sales in restaurants was lifted. I saw it coming that many bars would become restaurants... (as many did), happened last time.

Edited January 4, 2022 by jacko45k

[jerrymahoney]

12 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Now the blame game has started from Anutin

 

Anutin puts surge in Covid-19 cases down to irresponsible partygoers, venues

 

Thailand’s daily Covid-19 caseload has risen to more than 3,000 after the New Year break because of some people’s irresponsible behaviour and entertainment venues ignoring prevention measures, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Tuesday.

He also blamed agencies for allowing entertainment venues to change their status to restaurants without checking if all prevention measures were in place.

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010729

From same article as above:

 

However, he (Anutin) said that since most people followed prevention regulations, Thailand’s death toll and daily Covid-19 cases are not that high.

 

[ThailandRyan]

11 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Now the blame game has started from Anutin

 

Anutin puts surge in Covid-19 cases down to irresponsible partygoers, venues

 

Thailand’s daily Covid-19 caseload has risen to more than 3,000 after the New Year break because of some people’s irresponsible behaviour and entertainment venues ignoring prevention measures, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Tuesday.

He also blamed agencies for allowing entertainment venues to change their status to restaurants without checking if all prevention measures were in place.

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010729

Well he does have a point, but wasn't he and his group in charge of ensuring the rules and regulations were followed since they authorized the countdown and fireworks parties.  You can not stop Omicron as it is showing that it can defeat most tests unless they check further.  I don't' think they ignored the measures they just skirted the fine lines, like Anutin and company does.