Thailand reports new high of 27,071 COVID-19 cases, 80 deaths, 21,522 recoveries

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Thailand on Friday (March 18) reported 27,071 new COVID-19 cases, 21,522 recoveries and 80 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. 

 

Friday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 3,303,169 with 24,075 deaths.

 

The news comes as the Ministry of Public Health will propose that the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) further ease COVID-19 restrictions, by doing away with the requirement for arrivals from overseas to take an RT-PCR test 72 hours before departure.

 

It will also ask the CCSA to cut the required miminum insurance coverage, from US$20,000 to US$10,000, according to Public Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Kiattibhoom Vongrachit.*

 

*Thai PBS contributed to this report

 

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[Bkk Brian]

PCR test positive cases, total of 27,071 official new infections. 80 official covid deaths recorded.

 

Rapid tests positive cases, 23,157 bringing the total of PCR and ATK results to 50,228

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

 

OWD rolling 7 day average, cases and deaths up to 16th March

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

 

 

 

[ThailandRyan]

Looks like we are seeing the uptick in cases as we head into the weekend.  I know of quite a few folks that are now sick and isolating at home here in BKK, as well as my GF's cousin who picked up her second round of Covid this week and many of her factory co-workers.  Tested only by ATK and told unless they need treatment to stay home for 10 days before returning to work.

 

The way this is moving lends me to believe that we are seeing the variant they have in Hong Kong right now, add into that the fact that vaccinations for some reason have slowed down and not a tremendous push is being made in the media.  

 

They want Songkran to go ahead, but want the folks to not party and drink as Alcohol should not be a part of the family festival and they want it to return to its roots.  I can not ever see that occurring as Songkran has become a draw for tourists and is touted as a week long party in many spots with roadways closed etc...

 

The critically Ill seem to be rising as well as those on ventilators., 5 days in and the GF still has a slight headache and a lot of upper respiratory congestion, which the Benadryl is helping with along with the other meds I brought from the US with me like Dayquil, of course taken at different times.  I myself have been isolating as much as possible but woke up this am with the sniffles and a raspy voice.  Tested negative on my Saliva ATK test, and I will re-test tonight just to ensure.  Could be I just have a regular old cold virus.

 

Stay safe and be aware of any changes this government may make, it does not should like the mask mandate will be lifted but rather altered for some locales.  Crazy thing is that no mask wearing is done in bars where they are shoulder to shoulder, so it is no wonder the virus is spreading.

[ikke1959]

The cases are much more than daily announced. Every Thai knows it, I hear it in my neighbourhood every day. The Government however will do everything to attrack tourists and manipulate numbers to show they have it under control in one or another way, But the cases are rising as do the deaths. And tourists are still far away although the Government pretent it is otherwise. To many rules for bars, face masks and tests yet in Thailand , too expensive Baht and many other things and if the tourists go back they need in many countries still a PCR test too. Add that there is a war in Ukraine and the fuel prices are skyrocketing which makes flying more expensive and you see that it will bring less tourists too. So Thailand can think the tourists will come,  but tourists will visit countries that are cheaper, with less rules, better vaccinated and so,. There is still a long way to go, and with this Government that broke down the tourist industry it will be more difficult to recover as they have no clue how to solve this problem.

[RubbaJohnny]

Is the auto cull of so many worth a few days festival.

 

Sure give workers a well earned break and time to visit families, but surely this is too early for public celebrations?

 

Easy to advise against water splashing, young drunk males are hard enough to herd in normal situations.

I suppose the regime hope the 100s who'll die needlessly in crammed pick ups dicing with  drunken motor cyclists with no crash helmet will be higher than Covid. I have witnessed people spraying water and foam from pick ups , blinding riders vision.

 

Darwinism in practice, just give a thought to the already stretched  hospital and rescue staff who'll have to deal with the consequences.

Edited March 18, 2022 by RubbaJohnny

[RafPinto]

And another daily record like in South Korea, HK, Germany etc

 

Time to open up the country and don't forget Songkran festival.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Thailand on Friday set new year-high records for official new COVID cases at 27,071 and new COVID deaths at 80, more signs that the country's Omicron pandemic has yet to peak.

 

Friday's update from the Ministry of Public Health surpassed the prior daily records for 2022 of both new cases, which had been 25,615 on Feb. 26, and new daily deaths, which had been 77 set just yesterday.

 

Friday's report of new official COVID cases also was nearly 2,300 cases higher than the 24,792 tally from one week ago, and marked the third consecutive day of increases.

 

Meanwhile, largely because of the high number of new COVID deaths, the number of COVID patients hospitalized in serious condition declined slightly from yesterday's year-high record of 1,402 to 1,391 today.

 

But the additional number of seriously ill COVID patients hospitalized and requiring intubation to breathe rose again and set a new yearly record high of 511, surpassing Wednesday's prior high of 507. That number has now more than tripled since the start of the year.

 

 

 

https://ddc.moph.go.th/covid19-dashboard/?dashboard=main

 

For added context, during the peak of the Delta wave last fall, Thailand's daily COVID case count topped out at 23,418, but the numbers of serious hospital cases and intubated patients peaked above 5,600 and 1,100 respectively, and daily deaths topped 300 for a brief period.

 

 

Edited March 18, 2022 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Interesting, MoPH today seemingly has started to use a new, more detailed format for their daily COVID statistics graphic, with some useful information not previously made public on a daily basis.

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/informationcovid19/posts/524115789206750

 

The new parts, posted in the graphic (that I've highlighted with a red circle) and the accompanying text that goes with it, are:

 

"number of pneumonia patients
1,391 are hospitalized
an average of 18 per province
Bed occupancy rate 27.1%"

 

The bed occupancy rate listed above is a nationwide average for all 77 provinces, which apparently is looking at the number of available beds suitable for handling COVID patients.

 

However, about a week ago, MoPH put out a list of serious COVID case hospitalizations ranked by the 10 provinces with the highest number of cases, and a good share of those had considerably higher hospital bed occupancy rates at the time.

 

MoPH as of March 10:

 

As of Friday, the MoPH reported that Thailand had nearly 69,000 COVID cases being treated in regular hospitals (all cases, not just the most serious ones tallied above), and that's the highest number in the past week. And that's even with their considerable efforts to redirect less seriously ill COVID cases to either home quarantine or other alternate care arrangements.

 

Edited March 18, 2022 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Dunno what exactly these three categories mean in real life (I can't keep up with their color-coded nonsense), but maybe others here can elaborate. News out of the MoPH today:

 

"CCC adjusts the level of the situation throughout the kingdom, starting on March 18, 65

 

 

 

Orange: gatherings of under 500 allowed, schools can open with COVID prevention measures, restaurants can open until 11 p.m. but not serve alcohol, spas and massage parlors allowed to open until midnight.

 

Yellow: gatherings of less than 1,000 people allowed, schools, spas and massage parlors can open, restaurants can open with alcohol served until 11 p.m.

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/informationcovid19/posts/524282625856733

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

MoPH breakdown of the 80 new COVID deaths reported on Friday:

 

--39 males, 41 females

--78 Thais, 1 "English," 1 Myanmar

--Median age 74, with range from 30 to 101 years

 

--67 or 87% were age 60 and above

--8 or 10% were under age 60 with chronic conditions

--2 or 3% were under age 60 with no known conditions

 

(though the above breakdown tallies to 77 deaths and not the official 80 total deaths reported, for some unknown reason.)

 

Among the risk factors in the reported deaths, the largest share involved 16 with kidney disease and 15 who were bedridden.

 

Among the provinces, the most deaths occurred in Bangkok with 14, although almost half of Thailand's 77 provinces reported at least one COVID death on Friday.

 

In a separate document, MoPH appeared to indicate that 77 of the 80 deaths had not been vaccinated with a third dose COVID vaccine booster (see the following post below).

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/informationcovid19/photos/a.106455480972785/524286772522985/?type=3

 

Edited March 18, 2022 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

MoPH update Friday with past two weeks trends on:

--COVID serious hospitalizations and intubations (first column)

--COVID daily deaths (second column)

--14-day average new COVID case counts (third column)

all for the period March 5-18.

 

 

The footnote at the bottom of the second column appears to indicate that of the 80 new deaths reported Friday, 77 had not yet received a third-dose COVID booster vaccine dose, and likewise 77 were either age 60 and above or had any of 8 chronic condition comorbidities.

 

https://www.facebook.com/informationcovid19/photos/a.106455480972785/524286712522991/?type=3

 

 

Edited March 18, 2022 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[ThailandRyan]

52 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Interesting, MoPH today seemingly has started to use a new, more detailed format for their daily COVID statistics graphic, with some useful information not previously made public on a daily basis.

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/informationcovid19/posts/524115789206750

 

The new parts, posted in the graphic (that I've highlighted with a red circle) and the accompanying text that goes with it, are:

 

"number of pneumonia patients
1,391 are hospitalized
an average of 18 per province
Bed occupancy rate 27.1%"

 

The bed occupancy rate listed above is a nationwide average for all 77 provinces, which apparently is looking at the number of available beds suitable for handling COVID patients.

 

However, about a week ago, MoPH put out a list of serious COVID case hospitalizations ranked by the 10 provinces with the highest number of cases, and a good share of those had considerably higher hospital bed occupancy rates at the time.

 

MoPH as of March 10:

 

As of Friday, the MoPH reported that Thailand had nearly 69,000 COVID cases being treated in regular hospitals (all cases, not just the most serious ones tallied above), and that's the highest number in the past week. And that's even with their considerable efforts to redirect less seriously ill COVID cases to either home quarantine or other alternate care arrangements.

 

If they continue adding groups we may soon see the Flu listed as well.  Appears to be looking like its anything they can do to move the spotlight from Covid as it becomes endemic.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Thailand's daily COVID case counts and deaths are rising... but the country still is looking better than many of its Asian neighbors right now...

 

The chart below shows the various countries ranked with the most total COVID cases for the past week. On a population-adjusted per capita basis, Thailand ranks the lowest among the Asian countries listed for per capita COVID cases in the past week, and second lowest (after only Vietnam) for per capita COVID deaths in the past week.

 

The per capita comparisons of officially reported cases are likely skewed somewhat by Thailand's relatively low COVID testing rate compared to other countries. But the similar per capita COVID deaths comparison probably still is likely to be a more reflective indicator.

 

https://www.facebook.com/informationcovid19/photos/a.106455480972785/524286529189676/?type=3

 

Edited March 18, 2022 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[Daithi85]

12 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Thailand's daily COVID case counts and deaths are rising... but the country still is looking better than many of its Asian neighbors right now...

 

The chart below shows the various countries ranked with the most total COVID cases for the past week. On a population-adjusted per capita basis, Thailand ranks the lowest among the Asian countries listed for per capita COVID cases in the past week, and second lowest (after only Vietnam) for per capita COVID deaths in the past week.

 

The per capita comparisons of officially reported cases are likely skewed somewhat by Thailand's relatively low COVID testing rate compared to other countries. But the similar per capita COVID deaths comparison probably still is likely to be a more reflective indicator.

 

https://www.facebook.com/informationcovid19/photos/a.106455480972785/524286529189676/?type=3

 

How many tests does Thailand actually do each day? 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I haven't seen yet what the government is going to decide about changing COVID restrictions at their meeting today.

 

But MoPH's briefing packet today included an updated projection of how high the country's daily numbers of COVID cases could go in the coming months, depending on different scenarios.

 

If I'm reading and translating the chart correctly, it seems to be saying:

 

--if they reduce current COVID restrictions (the red scenario), daily cases could peak at more than 100,000 by mid April.

 

--if they maintain current restrictions (the yellow level), daily cases could hit around 50,000 by mid April.

 

--and if they tighten current restrictions and increase the daily vaccinations rate (the green scenario), it could bring daily cases below the 20,000 mark by mid April and keep them below that level.

 

Source link

 

And a similar projections chart for serious COVID hospitalizations (with pneumonia):

 

Source link

 

And hospitalized COVID cases requiring intubation:

 

Source link

 

And their future projections of daily COVID deaths peaking by early May:

 

Source link

[Bkk Brian]

2 minutes ago, Daithi85 said:

How many tests does Thailand actually do each day? 

Rolling 7 day average is showing about 52k per day

https://djay.github.io/covidthailand/#testing

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

5 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Rolling 7 day average is showing about 52k per day

https://djay.github.io/covidthailand/#testing

 

I think the more telling comparison would be per capita testing rates among the various countries.... since the raw totals aren't a basis for country to country comparisons.

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

There was an EN language video briefing today on the government's latest COVID actions, which including extending its emergency COVID declaration until the end of May.

 

 

https://fb.watch/bPZEFZxmHa/

 

the red colors above indicate rising numbers of cases, green indicates lessening cases from the prior day.

 

 

 

Edited March 18, 2022 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[worrab]

No report for 17th March but the report today shows a climb from the 186 cases on 16th March. 

 

Health officials on Friday (Mar 18) reported 226 new COVID-19 cases in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, of which 66 cases were found in Hua Hin.

Elsewhere in the province, 20 cases were found in Pranburi, 35 cases in Sam Roi Yot, 0 cases in Kuiburi, 12 cases in Thap Sakae, 17 cases in Bang Saphan, 0 cases in Bang Saphan Noi, and 74 cases in Mueang Prachuap Khiri Khan.

No new COVID-19 related deaths were reported in the province today.

 

https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/mar-18-prachuap-reports-226-new-covid-19-cases-66-cases-in-hua-hin/

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Song Kran rules:

 

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

MoPH also had this interesting chart today on the COVID death rates for senior citizens (ages 60 and up) in Thailand since the start of 2022 by their vaccination status:

 

 

Source link

 

[cyril sneer]

1 hour ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Song Kran rules:

 

 

so apart from maybe villages, it's pretty much cancelled for a 3rd year in a row

[Cake Monster]

It seems that the safest place to be right now in Thailand , is inside Prison.

There have not been more than an average of about 150 Daily Cases reported from inside the Prisons now for many weeks.

Thailand. The Country that never ceases to amaze.

[koratkarlos]

1 hour ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

--if they reduce current COVID restrictions (the red scenario), daily cases could peak at more than 100,000 by mid April.

 

--if they maintain current restrictions (the yellow level), daily cases could hit around 50,000 by mid April.

 

--and if they tighten current restrictions and increase the daily vaccinations rate (the green scenario), it could bring daily cases below the 20,000 mark by mid April and keep them below that level.

TallGuyJohnny, thank you again for your valuable information.  My question is do you think that restrictions are going to make any difference at all at this point in time?  Look at China, Germany and S. Korea now.   Don't get me wrong, I am concerned and believe that there is more COVID out there then ever albeit a milder Omicron version.  I still don't want to get this virus as it is unpredictable.  But in reality I believe there is not much one can do now except get fully vaccinated and boosted.  I also try to stay away from other people but I am really getting COVID burned out and want so much for things to get back to normal.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

"To encourage more tourists, all travellers will no longer require an RT-PRC test 72 hours before departure to #Thailand, starting April 1, the CCSA said on Friday.

 

The number of tourist sandboxes has also been increased from 8 to 10 provinces."

 

https://www.facebook.com/ThaiEnquirer/posts/509825040505034

 

Also:

 

Thailand to lift pretravel testing requirement for international arrivals from 1 April 2022

 

Travellers will be allowed to enter the kingdom without the need to show proof of a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours of travel

 

Source link

 

Also, the government spokesman also announced that there will be a reduced quarantine period for incoming international travelers arriving thru the quarantine program of only 5 days starting April 1, regardless of being vaccinated or unvaccinated. Those periods had been 7 or 10 days previously.

 

Testing requirement

Two tests remain in place for the TEST & GO and Sandbox travellers: RT-PCR test upon arrival (Day 0) and an antigen self-test on Day 5.

Sandbox staying period

Reduced to 5 days from currently 7 days. After completing five days within the Sandbox destinations, travellers will be allowed to travel domestically within Thailand.

AQ requirement

Quarantine reduced to 5 days and an RT-PCR test on Day 4-5.

 

Edited March 18, 2022 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

12 minutes ago, koratkarlos said:

But in reality I believe there is not much one can do now except get fully vaccinated and boosted.  I also try to stay away from other people but I am really getting COVID burned out and want so much for things to get back to normal.

 

I think the government restrictions have some effect, but it probably in the overall sense comes down more to what each individual chooses to do with their lifestyle and actions. The government supposed rules here often seem to be ignored or not enforced as much as otherwise.

 

As you noted --  each person getting fully vaccinated and boosted, maintaining social distancing when out and around, limiting social interactions, wearing a good quality, tight-fitting face mask when around others, etc etc.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Related for the day:

 

 

 

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

And for the Asian region, this update from yesterday:

 

COVID-19 cases soar in Asian hot spots

 

--South Korea reported its highest single-day total, which at 621,328, was up sharply from 400,714 the previous day. Officials also reported a daily high for deaths, with 429 more fatalities.

 

--In Hong Kong, the pace of new infections and deaths continued at a very high level, with 21,650 new cases and 202 more deaths. The country is experiencing one of the world's highest death rates, partly linked to vaccine gaps in vulnerable older groups.

 

--China—experiencing its biggest spike in 2 years—reported 2,462 new cases, which include 1,206 people with asymptomatic infections.

 

(more)

 

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2022/03/covid-19-cases-soar-asian-hot-spots-us-gets-new-covid-czar

 

 

Edited March 18, 2022 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

And an update on so-called Long COVID symptoms:

 

"An online UK study finds that about 70% of 181 adult COVID survivors had memory and concentration problems several months after infection, 75% reported persistent symptoms so severe that they couldn't work, and 50% said that medical professionals didn't take their symptoms seriously.

 

In the ongoing COVID and Cognition study, published as two papers today in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, a team led by University of Cambridge researchers report on the baseline characteristics and cognitive test performance of 181 long COVID patients and 185 never-infected peers.

...

Long COVID can be debilitating, affecting multiple organ systems, including the brain, and causing highly individual symptoms in the months after infection. Neurologic symptoms may include "brain fog," disorientation, headache, and forgetfulness."

 

(more)

 

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2022/03/70-covid-survivors-uk-study-had-impaired-memory-focus

 

[ThailandRyan]

4 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

And for the Asian region, this update from yesterday:

 

COVID-19 cases soar in Asian hot spots

 

--South Korea reported its highest single-day total, which at 621,328, was up sharply from 400,714 the previous day. Officials also reported a daily high for deaths, with 429 more fatalities.

 

--In Hong Kong, the pace of new infections and deaths continued at a very high level, with 21,650 new cases and 202 more deaths. The country is experiencing one of the world's highest death rates, partly linked to vaccine gaps in vulnerable older groups.

 

--China—experiencing its biggest spike in 2 years—reported 2,462 new cases, which include 1,206 people with asymptomatic infections.

 

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2022/03/covid-19-cases-soar-asian-hot-spots-us-gets-new-covid-czar

 

 

It is still moving upwards and ignorant arrogant folks are still concerned about their personal rights being violated, instead of thinking of others.