COVID-19: Thailand reports 8,167 new coronavirus cases, 14 deaths

[webfact]

File photo credit: EPA-EFE

 

Thailand on Thursday (January 13) reported 8,167 new COVID-19 cases, 3,845 recoveries and 14 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. 

 

▶︎ Infections outside prisons: 8,101. Prisons: 66

▶︎ Recoveries: 3,845

 

Thursday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 2,300,457 with 21,883 deaths.

 

The news comes as two doses of Sinovac and a booster dose of Pfizer vaccines generate the highest level of immune response against the Delta and Omicron variants, measured at 1,143 Geometric Mean Titer (GMT) and 531 GMT respectively, according to initial findings from Siriraj Clinical Research Centre.

 

The centre conducted studies on the use of Pfizer, both full and half doses, and AstraZeneca as a booster jab for people already inoculated with two doses of Sinovac or AstraZeneca vaccines, assess the immune response to the Delta and Omicron variants.

 

*Thai PBS contributed to this report

 

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[Bkk Brian]

 PCR test positive cases, total of 8,176 official new infections. 14 official covid deaths recorded.

 

Rapid tests positive cases, 1,789 bringing the total of PCR and ATK results to 9,956

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

 

Rolling 7 day average chart (up to 11th Jan)

https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus/country/thailand

 

[anchadian]

https://twitter.com/ThaiNewsReports/status/1481426914963521539

 

[anchadian]

https://twitter.com/ThaiNewsReports/status/1481413354552164354

 

[anchadian]

https://twitter.com/ThaiNewsReports/status/1481413151350747136

 

[Bkk Brian]

"The 1st study ... to demonstrate less severe disease in wave four [Omicron] after adjusting for both vaccination and prior diagnosed infection." "Our data suggests that severe outcomes could be reduced by approximately 25% due to intrinsically reduced virulence of Omicron."

 

"South African study of 16,753 people controls for the effects of vaccine and prior infection to find: - Omicron only about 25% less intrinsically fatal then Delta. - Most of the reduction in fatality was due to vaccination and prior infection."

 

Pre print

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.01.12.22269148v1

[Macrohistory]

8 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

"The 1st study ... to demonstrate less severe disease in wave four [Omicron] after adjusting for both vaccination and prior diagnosed infection." "Our data suggests that severe outcomes could be reduced by approximately 25% due to intrinsically reduced virulence of Omicron."

 

"South African study of 16,753 people controls for the effects of vaccine and prior infection to find: - Omicron only about 25% less intrinsically fatal then Delta. - Most of the reduction in fatality was due to vaccination and prior infection."

 

Pre print

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.01.12.22269148v1

 

Meanwhile, the weekly South African excess deaths report is out, and not looking good (see graph below).  

 

Per Worldometers, there were 181 Covid deaths in South Africa yesterday.  There were 398 Covid deaths in the UK.

 

So it sure is a good thing that Omicron is so mild, just like a cold.

 

 

 

SOURCE:  https://www.samrc.ac.za/research-reports

 

[smedly]

16 minutes ago, webfact said:

The news comes as two doses of Sinovac and a booster dose of Pfizer vaccines generate the highest level of immune response against the Delta and Omicron variants, measured at 1,143 Geometric Mean Titer (GMT) and 531 GMT respectively, according to initial findings from Siriraj Clinical Research Centre.

 

The centre conducted studies on the use of Pfizer, both full and half doses, and AstraZeneca as a booster jab for people already inoculated with two doses of Sinovac or AstraZeneca vaccines, assess the immune response to the Delta and Omicron variants.

Don't dismiss this out of hand, although the data and claims on delta somewhat discredit this assessment that might not be the case for omicron, sinovac is a whole virus vector vaccine which in fact might offer more protection, there is also now evidence that infection from the common cold also offers some immunity, mRNA vaccines are more specific and developed to react to the very specific spike protien - not so for sinovac, it appears that T cells are now playing a very big part in protecting people - one of the many mechanisms that our highly complex immune system protects us.

 

We already know that Omicron is a vastly different animal from previous variants ultimately sharing some of its mechanisms and infection profile with the common cold, this is turning out to be quite positive as more and more data emerges, we are now 100% sure it is a much milder less deadly virus and this is becoming clearer by the day.

 

I suggest everyone watch the latest presentation from Dr John Campbell which also has some other positive study data concerning Omicron - all very positive indeed 

[mistral53]

22 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

"The 1st study ... to demonstrate less severe disease in wave four [Omicron] after adjusting for both vaccination and prior diagnosed infection." "Our data suggests that severe outcomes could be reduced by approximately 25% due to intrinsically reduced virulence of Omicron."

 

"South African study of 16,753 people controls for the effects of vaccine and prior infection to find: - Omicron only about 25% less intrinsically fatal then Delta. - Most of the reduction in fatality was due to vaccination and prior infection."

 

Pre print

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.01.12.22269148v1

Cat is out of the bag, and it is a stunner:

 

https://twitter.com/CDCDirector/status/1481315911843856387?s=20

 

 

 

Edited January 13, 2022 by mistral53
added link

[anchadian]

Thai News Reports: 8,167 confirmed cases, 1,789 probable cases (ATK), and 14 deaths (0.95%). 239 cases were from abroad (total now 11,461). Out of 70,594 patients , 40,343 are in hospital.

 

There are 520 in a serious condition (+40) with 110 on ventilators (+2) #Thailand

 

https://twitter.com/ThaiNewsReports/status/1481439111039037440

[dinsdale]

These numbers @Bkk Brian are detected PCR cases with ATK's reported. ATK reports I would suggest are very under-reported, PCR always extremely low here and Omicron can present with very mild or no symptoms at all so the actual infection number as opposed to the case number will be much, much higher.  Mask wearing is probably slowing this down somewhat and the 14 deaths may very well be Delta related. Once again it would be nice to see a daily breakdown between Delta and Omicron. I would also like to see more info on hospitalisations i.e. Delta/Omicron/ICU/intubated/incidental.

I have a bit of a negative thought on not allowing Omicron to run rapidly in that it might leave time for Delta to mutate before it's pushed out by Omicron. This is as I say just a thought.

[Bkk Brian]

33 minutes ago, mistral53 said:

Cat is out of the bag, and it is a stunner:

 

https://twitter.com/CDCDirector/status/1481315911843856387?s=20

 

 

 

Testament to how well vaccinations are protecting people, hardly a cat out of the bag moment.

 

The study I linked to however was specifically based on the adjustment of vaccinations and prior infections so giving a truer picture of the Omicron virulence as a stand alone virus without previous immunity protection.

Edited January 13, 2022 by Bkk Brian

[smedly]

15 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

it would be nice to see a daily breakdown between Delta and Omicron. I would also like to see more info on hospitalisations i.e. Delta/Omicron/ICU/intubated/incidental.

we will as usual have to rely on UK US EU and a few other countries that actuall record investigate and openly publish such data unlike Thailand who either hide it or don't bother much even though it is in the public interest - they are more likely to report based on a self serving agenda

 

 

15 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

I have a bit of a negative thought on not allowing Omicron to run rapidly in that it might leave time for Delta to mutate before it's pushed out by Omicron.

data is already showing that delta cannot compete with omicron and has been effectively wiped out - which is very good news

 

I suggest again that people take 30mins and watch Dr John Campbell latest presentation before commenting further - it is quite compelling

 

Also, I never thought I would say this but I am now considering a booster shot that will be sinovac by choice specifically because of omicron, that is of course if I decide to accept a booster - I am on the fence with that for now

 

This virus has changed massively with omicron, so the approach must also change

[spidermike007]

All the panic, the cancellation of test and go, and the final nail in the coffin of tourism. And for what? A mild variant? More cases and few deaths? In the US they are averaging 800,000 cases a day and only 1,000 to 2,000 deaths a day. The percentage of people who are dying from OMI is infinitely less than Delta. Calm down folks. Stop the panic. 

 

Is a dead economy and millions out of work long term, really worth avoiding some people getting sick? Such a sickening and paniced over reaction. 

 

This is NOT the Zombie Apocalypse! 

 

 

[Bkk Brian]

Latest ICU and Ventilated cases

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

[mistral53]

9 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Testament to how well vaccinations are protecting people, hardly a cat out of the bag moment.

 

The study I linked to however was specifically based on the adjustment of vaccinations and prior infections so giving a truer picture of the Omicron virulence as a stand alone virus without previous immunity protection.

You seem to have reading comprehension problems - the study compares Omicron to Delta, no need to make up vaccination effects, as both groups are equally vaccinated.

Bottom line - Omicron is the good news, Omicron is the beginning of the end.

[Bkk Brian]

Just one of the problems with this being that any infected person should be in isolation.......

 

Thai man seeks COVID-positive escort to get infected deliberately

 

An online job listing has gone viral in Thailand this week. It features a man seeking to hire a social companion, who has tested positive for COVID-19, in a deliberate attempt to get infected.

The listing, apparently written by a broker, indicated that the client is offering ฿3,000 to ฿5,000 to a suitably qualified drinking companion.

“COVID-positive only. The client wants to catch the coronavirus,” read the listing.

 

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-man-seeks-covid-positive-escort-to-get-infected-deliberately/

[Bkk Brian]

4 minutes ago, mistral53 said:

You seem to have reading comprehension problems - the study compares Omicron to Delta, no need to make up vaccination effects, as both groups are equally vaccinated.

Bottom line - Omicron is the good news, Omicron is the beginning of the end.

My reading comprehension is fine thanks, the South Africa study also compares to Delta and other variants however it takes into account previous immunity. Understand?

 

Your bottom line, I hope so too

Edited January 13, 2022 by Bkk Brian

[dinsdale]

40 minutes ago, smedly said:

we will as usual have to rely on UK US EU and a few other countries that actuall record investigate and openly publish such data unlike Thailand who either hide it or don't bother much even though it is in the public interest - they are more likely to report based on a self serving agenda

 

 

data is already showing that delta cannot compete with omicron and has been effectively wiped out - which is very good news

 

I suggest again that people take 30mins and watch Dr John Campbell latest presentation before commenting further - it is quite compelling

 

Also, I never thought I would say this but I am now considering a booster shot that will be sinovac by choice specifically because of omicron, that is of course if I decide to accept a booster - I am on the fence with that for now

 

This virus has changed massively with omicron, so the approach must also change

AZ for booster? As for Delta being pushed out this is happening in countries where Omicron has spread very rapidly and I believe this is because of masks wearing or more to the point lack of mask wearing.

[ThailandRyan]

Landed in the US, and even though cases are high, most are going on about business as usual.  California has re-mandated mask wearing inside as well as outside.  Watching the cases in Thailand now from the outside definitely shows that they are not testing.  However, some of the other Asian countries like Hong Kong are seeing very few cases, while Vietnams cases are at 20k+.  One has to wonder what the common denominator is.  Thailand seems to be in the middle of the numbers that it's surrounding geographical area is seeing. Could it be folks are sick but not testing, sick and testing but not reporting it, or is it just that as usual the Government truly is not looking.

[dinsdale]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

All the panic, the cancellation of test and go, and the final nail in the coffin of tourism. And for what? A mild variant? More cases and few deaths? In the US they are averaging 800,000 cases a day and only 1,000 to 2,000 deaths a day. The percentage of people who are dying from OMI is infinitely less than Delta. Calm down folks. Stop the panic. 

 

Is a dead economy and millions out of work long term, really worth avoiding some people getting sick? Such a sickening and paniced over reaction. 

 

This is NOT the Zombie Apocalypse! 

 

 

The thing about the deaths is how many are incidental. All patients are screened now in hospitals. We know that Delta caused deaths mainly with pnuemonia but I have yet to see actual cause of death with Omicron. Very rare I would think to die from upper respiratory infection unless it becomes accute. 

[dinsdale]

1 hour ago, Bkk Brian said:

Latest ICU and Ventilated cases

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

This needs to be further broken down. If Omicron was added as orange I believe green (Delta) would make up the lion's share with minimal orange.

[anchadian]

https://twitter.com/ThaiNewsReports/status/1481494432994443267

 

[Bkk Brian]

4 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

"The 1st study ... to demonstrate less severe disease in wave four [Omicron] after adjusting for both vaccination and prior diagnosed infection." "Our data suggests that severe outcomes could be reduced by approximately 25% due to intrinsically reduced virulence of Omicron."

 

"South African study of 16,753 people controls for the effects of vaccine and prior infection to find: - Omicron only about 25% less intrinsically fatal then Delta. - Most of the reduction in fatality was due to vaccination and prior infection."

 

Pre print

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.01.12.22269148v1

Correlates well with findings of a hazard ratio of 0.76 for unvaccinated hosp with Omicron vs unvaccinated hosp with Delta from this UK analysis:

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/medicine/mrc-gida/2021-12-22-COVID19-Report-50.pdf

[Bkk Brian]

2 hours ago, dinsdale said:

This needs to be further broken down. If Omicron was added as orange I believe green (Delta) would make up the lion's share with minimal orange.

According to the reports a few days ago, Omicron was making up around 75% of all cases in Thailand so probably more now. However according to UK statistics the average lag between infection and death is 16-18 days

 

Not sure about ICU or Ventilated. 

[anchadian]

Minor International, prominent hospitality group, urges the Thai government to drop alcohol restrictions like early closing times and bring back Test and Go to encourage tourism

 

Bangkok –

 

Minor International Public Company Limited, a prominent private hospitality group in Thailand, has submitted an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O’Cha, urging the government to lift the current restrictive alcohol drinking hours set at 9 PM in tourist zones, reimplement the “Test&Go” tourism scheme, stop forcing tourists to hospitals if positive for Covid-19 but mild or asymptomatic, and get rid of Thailand pass and replace it with a simple pre-flight vaccine check and covid test.

 

https://tpnnational.com/2022/01/13/minor-international-prominent-hospitality-group-urges-the-thai-government-to-drop-alcohol-restrictions-like-early-closing-times-and-bring-back-test-and-go-to-encourage-tourism/

[candide]

1 hour ago, Bkk Brian said:

According to the reports a few days ago, Omicron was making up around 75% of all cases in Thailand so probably more now. However according to UK statistics the average lag between infection and death is 16-18 days

 

Not sure about ICU or Ventilated. 

Right. People often forget that there is usually a lag of at least two weeks between infection and death. So it's pointless to compare the number of cases and the number of deaths at the same date.

Edited January 13, 2022 by candide

[dinsdale]

My school like many others did not go onsite after NY break. 17th going back onsite. This comment is not about schools being onsite or online more about the absolute amateurism being displayed by so-called experts. Why shut in the 1st place and then open when infections are going to skyrocket. 

 

Edited January 13, 2022 by dinsdale

[anchadian]

Thailand concerned over increasing COVID-19 infections among medics

 

The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has expressed its concern over rising infections among Thai medical personnel and has urged them to receive a fourth dose of vaccine to boost protection.

 

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailand-concerned-over-increasing-covid-19-infections-among-medics/

[dinsdale]

2 minutes ago, anchadian said:

Thailand concerned over increasing COVID-19 infections among medics

 

The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has expressed its concern over rising infections among Thai medical personnel and has urged them to receive a fourth dose of vaccine to boost protection.

 

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailand-concerned-over-increasing-covid-19-infections-among-medics/

Absolutely no evidince I have seen to support this. Having a booster i.e. 3rd jab does seem to be supported. Only reason would be having had the Chinese juice which would run contrary to previous story about how great the Chinese vaccines are against Omicron.