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Thailand on Wednesday (April 27) reported 14,887 new COVID-19 cases, 18,919 recoveries and 125 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. 

 

Wednesday’s cases bring the total number of COVID-19 infections in Thailand to 4,209,571 with 28,144 deaths.

 

The news comes as the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is preparing to attract potential tourists from European countries after the Thai government has relaxed the arrival measures for international tourists in May.

 

Thitiporn Maneenet, TAT’s Director for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, said TAT believes that traveling to Thailand for international tourists would be significantly more convenient after the country would cancel its mandatory RT-PCR testing upon arrival in May for fully vaccinated visitors.**

 

**The Pattaya News contributed to this report

 

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After days of declines, new COVID deaths and new cases took a modest but sudden upward move on Wednesday, as Thailand reported 125 new deaths and 14,887 official new COVID cases, although serious COVID hospitalizations dropped by three cases to 1,822.

 

Wednesday’s report by the Ministry of Public Health ended five consecutive days of daily declines in new COVID cases, and three consecutive days of declines in new fatalities. Even so, the total number of active COVID cases under care dropped again from 167,124 on Tuesday to 162,967 today.

 

The new COVID fatalities increased from 120 on Tuesday to 125 today. The new COVID official cases increased from 13,816 on Tuesday to 14,887 today. The current number of COVID hospitalizations in serious condition fell slightly from 1,825 on Tuesday to 1,822 today.

 

In addition, the subset of the most seriously ill COVID hospitalizations, those requiring intubation in order to breathe, also fell from 868 on Tuesday to 850 today, well below the year-high number of 940 on April 19.

 

Relative to this year's record highs for Thailand, current deaths at 125 continue to run just below the year-high number of 129 reached on several days earlier this month. But official new daily cases now are almost half of the 28,379 high number from April 1.

 

For broader 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 the intubated share of those peaked above 5,600 and 1,100 respectively, and daily deaths topped 300 for a brief period.

 

 

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/informationcovid19/posts/549742176644111

 

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

 

 

Edited April 27, 20224 yr by TallGuyJohninBKK

Chonburi announces 533 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 and three new deaths

 

Five people were listed as being in serious condition in Chonburi currently, either on a ventilator or with pneumonia. Three of them were not vaccinated. According to the Chonburi Department of Public Health, the vast majority of recent cases are mild or asymptomatic.

 

The three new deaths were aged 65, 82, and 88 with severe personal health problems and pre-existing conditions. Two of them were vaccinated.

 

https://thepattayanews.com/2022/04/27/chonburi-announces-533-new-and-confirmed-cases-of-covid-19-and-three-new-deaths/

PCR test positive cases, total of 14,887 official new infections. 125 official covid deaths recorded.

 

Rapid tests positive cases, 12,748 bringing the total of PCR and ATK results to 27,635

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

 

OWD rolling 7 day average, cases and deaths up to 25th April

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

 

 

 

It appears the virus is continuing onward and the numbers are more than likely 5 to 10 times what's reported. Looking at the hospitalizations, Serious cases, and then deaths shows that we are still a ways out from seeing this thing decline to what could make it endemic in the eyes of this government.  With schools not far from reopening for the new year and people still working from home, I hope that the cases do turn downward further, and that if a student is found infected at school they do not shut the school down as they have before.

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/thailandprd/posts/356900726472744

 

 

 

Phuket marks 81 new COVID cases, no deaths

 

PHUKET: The latest Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) daily COVID situation report has marked 81 new local infections confirmed across the island yesterday (Apr 26), bringing the total number of infections recorded since Jan 1 to 51,677.

 

https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-marks-81-new-covid-cases-no-deaths-83946.php

38 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

It appears the virus is continuing onward and the numbers are more than likely 5 to 10 times what's reported. Looking at the hospitalizations, Serious cases, and then deaths shows that we are still a ways out from seeing this thing decline to what could make it endemic in the eyes of this government.  With schools not far from reopening for the new year and people still working from home, I hope that the cases do turn downward further, and that if a student is found infected at school they do not shut the school down as they have before.

My son's school has been open since January and now ha s a sensible Covid policy.  ATK tests have to be submitted every week, but when a student tests positive it's only the affected student that has to stay home.  In the last 2 months there have been regular positive tests, but no disruption to learning, other than for the 'positive' student.   To be honest, I thought all schools were now operating like this.

12 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

My son's school has been open since January and now ha s a sensible Covid policy.  ATK tests have to be submitted every week, but when a student tests positive it's only the affected student that has to stay home.  In the last 2 months there have been regular positive tests, but no disruption to learning, other than for the 'positive' student.   To be honest, I thought all schools were now operating like this.

Yes you've been fortunate enough to have your son in an International School which was finally able to take the sensible approach. Unlike the majority of government schools who took the risk free shut em down and keep them closed road, neglecting their education entirely. 

Its the same for me, my daughter being in an International School has not suffered as much. They've also been opened since around Jan with a very sensible policy similar to your sons school. There are over 800 students in her school and it was reported last week that over half the staff had already had covid and 30% (probably a lot more) of the students have already had it, including my daughter. Not once was the school closed.

In a few weeks there are only a few hundred positive tests .... less tests will make it happen. Tourism must open, country normalizing,  and Covid a endemic.... See how good the Government has handled the Covid before and after Songkran.... Just a political promotion stunt as they are afraid not to be elected anymore

11 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Yes you've been fortunate enough to have your son in an International School which was finally able to take the sensible approach. Unlike the majority of government schools who took the risk free shut em down and keep them closed road, neglecting their education entirely. 

Its the same for me, my daughter being in an International School has not suffered as much. They've also been opened since around Jan with a very sensible policy similar to your sons school. There are over 800 students in her school and it was reported last week that over half the staff had already had covid and 30% (probably a lot more) of the students have already had it, including my daughter. Not once was the school closed.

My GF's daughter goes to a Wat School, and they are on the government track as far as when the school term starts, which is the second week of May as of now.  They have requested that the students obtain a vaccination prior to school starting or they will not be allowed to attend classes unless they have had covid already and are in the lag period between being able to be vaccinated after having been infected.  They will also need to be tested weekly as well as the family.  Seems a sensible approach and still waiting to hear more on what will be required when they hold an upcoming parent meeting and hand out the new school years paperwork.

AstraZeneca, mRNA vaccines equally effective in preventing serious Covid-19 outcomes

 

Data from 79 real-world studies show that AstraZeneca and mRNA Covid-19 vaccines provide equal protection against hospitalisation and death after two doses, several experts said on Wednesday.

 

https://www.nationmultimedia.com/pr-news/life/40014987

where's these 100k cases a day because of songkran? because the songkran figures will have started to come in by now.    oh what a surprise! the usual scaremongering that every country has taken since this pandemic started

9 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

It appears the virus is continuing onward and the numbers are more than likely 5 to 10 times what's reported. Looking at the hospitalizations, Serious cases, and then deaths shows that we are still a ways out from seeing this thing decline to what could make it endemic in the eyes of this government.  With schools not far from reopening for the new year and people still working from home, I hope that the cases do turn downward further, and that if a student is found infected at school they do not shut the school down as they have before.

Where do you get your 10x figure from ? I mean really ? 

7 minutes ago, alex8912 said:

Where do you get your 10x figure from ? I mean really ? 

He said 5 - 10 times and maybe he got it from the "Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME)"

 

The lowest estimate is 200,000

 

 

 

Edited April 27, 20224 yr by Bkk Brian

11 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

It appears the virus is continuing onward and the numbers are more than likely 5 to 10 times what's reported.

I just read this morning an article that around 60% (or 200 million) of Americans have had the virus, according to a study, so way more than the 80 million registered cases via tests, as many cases have been asymptomatic. - I don't think that Thailand is different, so 5 to 10 times the number seems indeed more realistic, taking into account the lower number of tests here.

Edited April 27, 20224 yr by StayinThailand2much

1 hour ago, Bkk Brian said:

He said 5 - 10 times and maybe he got it from the "Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME)"

 

The lowest estimate is 200,000

 

 

 

Thanks, I know I should put in the links I get my info from, but why repeat what we all see and have seen.  My mistake as there is always one who wants to pop in and challenge the posts.

4 hours ago, anchadian said:

AstraZeneca, mRNA vaccines equally effective in preventing serious Covid-19 outcomes

 

Data from 79 real-world studies show that AstraZeneca and mRNA Covid-19 vaccines provide equal protection against hospitalisation and death after two doses, several experts said on Wednesday.

 

https://www.nationmultimedia.com/pr-news/life/40014987

 

I'm a bit skeptical about the claims in The Nation report...

 

1. I believe those claims are at odds with most of the research studies I've read that generally show the mRNA being more protective than AZ doses.

 

2. It's less than fully persuasive when you have the people in the article making their AZ pitch being a person affiliated with Oxford, which developed the AZ vaccine, and a Thai vaccine official, who has a vested interest in AZ given that it's being produced in Thailand under official auspices.

 

3. A lot of the past research studies they're collectively relying on in making their claims were done involving the prior variants, not Omicron, meaning their applicability to the current Omicron situation in the world is questionable. As the article says... "While data available at the time of review relates to Delta and earlier variants..."

 

4. The Thai medical establishment often gets hung up on making vaccine pronouncements based on tested antibody levels post vaccination, which is one thing. But all the experts agree that antibody levels alone are not synonymous with real life levels of protection. It's more complicated that just antibodies.

 

Here's what the UK health services agency reported in their latest April 21 weekly report on vaccine effectiveness based on real-world results in the UK specifically relating to the current Omicron variant (summarizing page 4 of the report):

 

Protection against symptomatic COVID disease (not death and hospitalization, and note, these findings relate only to two shots, not boosters):

 

--After 2 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, vaccine effectiveness against the Omicron variant starts at 45 to 50% then drops to almost no effect from 25 weeks after the second dose.

 

--With 2 doses of Pfizer or Moderna effectiveness started at around 65 to 70% and then dropped to around 15% by 25 weeks after the second dose.

 

They also have a chart (page 11 of the report) based on UK data and other international results that they call "consensus" findings in terms of the three vaccines' ability to prevent hospitalization due to Omicron where Moderna and Pfizer both do somewhat better than AZ at varying times after two original doses:

 

 

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1070356/Vaccine-surveillance-report-week-16.pdf

 

So, I'd take the self-interested reporting by the folks in The Nation article with a large grain of salt...

 

Edited April 27, 20224 yr by TallGuyJohninBKK

3 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

I just read this morning an article that around 60% (or 200 million) of Americans have had the virus, according to a study, so way more than the 80 million registered cases via tests, as many cases have been asymptomatic. - I don't think that Thailand is different, so 5 to 10 times the number seems indeed more realistic, taking into account the lower number of tests here.

 

CDC: Majority of Americans Have Antibodies Against the Coronavirus From Previous Infection

 

More than 57% of Americans had detectable levels of antibodies against the coronavirus as of February, according to new CDC research. That’s up from 33% in December 2021.

 

"Roughly 3 in 5 Americans have detectable levels of antibodies against COVID-19 from prior infection, according to a new study published Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

...

The 57% estimate would amount to roughly 188 million Americans who have had COVID-19 – a much higher number than the official coronavirus case toll of 80 million. Researchers said that antibodies could be detected for at least 2 years after infection, so they believe the percentage to be a fairly accurate picture of the pandemic, which was officially declared in March 2020."

 

(more)

 

https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2022-04-26/cdc-majority-of-americans-have-antibodies-against-the-coronavirus-from-previous-infection

 

Worth noting: AFAIK, this reading of the percentage of Americans with COVID antibodies IS an indicator of how many have contracted the virus at some point since the outset.

 

However, it is NOT an indicator of the share of the population that would be currently immune from COVID due to prior infections, since that infection-based immunity is believed to last for a shorter duration post-infection than two years.

 

Edited April 27, 20224 yr by TallGuyJohninBKK

2 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

I'm a bit skeptical about the claims in The Nation report...

 

1. I believe those claims are at odds with most of the research studies I've read that generally show the mRNA being more protective than AZ doses.

 

2. It's less than fully persuasive when you have the people in the article making their AZ pitch being a person affiliated with Oxford, which developed the AZ vaccine, and a Thai vaccine official, who has a vested interest in AZ given that it's being produced in Thailand under official auspices.

 

3. A lot of the past research studies they're collectively relying on in making their claims were done involving the prior variants, not Omicron, meaning their applicability to the current Omicron situation in the world is questionable. As the article says... "While data available at the time of review relates to Delta and earlier variants..."

 

4. The Thai medical establishment often gets hung up on making vaccine pronouncements based on tested antibody levels post vaccination, which is one thing. But all the experts agree that antibody levels alone are not synonymous with real life levels of protection. It's more complicated that just antibodies.

 

Here's what the UK health services agency reported in their latest April 21 weekly report on vaccine effectiveness based on real-world results in the UK specifically relating to the current Omicron variant (summarizing page 4 of the report):

 

Protection against symptomatic COVID disease (not death and hospitalization, and note, these findings relate only to two shots, not boosters):

 

--After 2 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, vaccine effectiveness against the Omicron variant starts at 45 to 50% then drops to almost no effect from 25 weeks after the second dose.

 

--With 2 doses of Pfizer or Moderna effectiveness started at around 65 to 70% and then dropped to around 15% by 25 weeks after the second dose.

 

They also have a chart (page 11 of the report) based on UK data and other international results that they call "consensus" findings in terms of the three vaccines' ability to prevent hospitalization due to Omicron where Moderna and Pfizer both do somewhat better than AZ at varying times after two original doses:

 

 

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1070356/Vaccine-surveillance-report-week-16.pdf

 

So, I'd take the self-interested reporting by the folks in The Nation article with a large grain of salt...

 

Whether right or not, it must be stated that AZ is much better than commonly thought.  Yes, certainly during the Alpha and Delta surge in the UK it performed spectacularly well in elder age group.  It is very effective and it would not surprise me if this article is correct.

There's also a new published study out of the Kaiser health system in Southern California that has some useful and interesting data on the Pfizer vaccine's effectiveness in preventing Omicron-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations for longer periods post vaccination, both for two doses and with a booster:

 

Two Doses / 9 Months after:

--"In adjusted analyses, effectiveness of two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine against the omicron variant was 41% (95% CI 21–55) against hospital admission and 31% (16–43) against emergency department admission at 9 months or longer after the second dose."  [the recommendation is for people to get a third doses booster shot 4-5 months after the initial doses, so 9 months without a booster is a long time!]

 

Three Doses /  Up to 3 months after and longer:

--"After three doses, effectiveness of BNT162b2 against hospital admission due to the omicron variant was 85% (95% CI 80–89) at less than 3 months but fell to 55% (28–71) at 3 months or longer."

 

--"Against emergency department admission, the effectiveness of three doses of BNT162b2 against the omicron variant was 77% (72–81) at less than 3 months but fell to 53% (36–66) at 3 months or longer."

 

And thus those beyond 3 months waning protection results are the reason 4th dose boosters are being recommended by various health agencies, especially for older people more at risk from COVID.

 

Based on health records of COVID patients health records from the Kaiser Permanente Southern California health system from Dec 1, 2021, to Feb 6, 2022.

 

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(22)00101-1/fulltext#

 

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/950427

 

Meanwhile, COVID continues to worsen in China, and now has been documented as having spread to Beijing. This recent update:

 

"As China battles an Omicron-fueled COVID-19 outbreak in Shanghai, its largest city, it is also now seeing cases rise in Beijing, its capital and home to more than 21 million people.

...

Officials in Beijing have ordered mass testing for people in the Chaoyang district, triggering stockpiling of groceries and other key items, as people fear a lockdown similar to Shanghai's, according to Reuters.

...

Deaths, typically a lagging indicator, continue to rise steadily, and China [Monday] reported 51 deaths, all from Shanghai. Fatalities are at their highest level since April 2020."

 

(more)

 

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2022/04/china-tracks-rising-covid-activity-beijing-us-cases-climb

 

 

 

2 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

More than 57% of Americans had detectable levels of antibodies against the coronavirus as of February, according to new CDC research. That’s up from 33% in December 2021.

 

Interesting... that the actual CDC report on this has a breakdown of infection-induced seroprevalence by age group. And it's the youngest age groups, those with the lowest vaccination rates, that have the highest levels of past COVID infection, compared to the 57% national average.

 

From December 2021 to February 2022, seroprevalence increased:

 

--from 44.2% to 75.2% among children aged 0–11 years

 

--from 45.6% to 74.2% among persons aged 12–17 years

 

--from 36.5% to 63.7% among adults aged 18–49 years

 

--from 28.8% to 49.8% among those aged 50–64 years

 

--from 19.1% to 33.2% among those aged ≥ 65 years

 

The CDC report suggests those surprising numbers are likely based on a combination of the low vaccination rates among minors [because their vaccine approvals came later] not preventing infections as much, combined with older people likely taking other COVID precautions likely not taken by youngsters.

 

"The greatest increases in seroprevalence during September 2021–February 2022, occurred in the age groups with the lowest vaccination coverage; the proportion of the U.S. population fully vaccinated by April 2022 increased with age (5–11, 28%;  12–17, 59%;  18–49, 69%;  50–64,  80%; and  ≥65 years, 90%).*** Lower seroprevalence among adults aged ≥65 years, who are at greater risk for severe illness from COVID-19, might also be related to the increased use of additional precautions with increasing age (3)."

 

And the report also noted: "Seropositivity for anti-N antibodies should not be interpreted as protection from future infection."

 

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7117e3.htm

 

It seems to me these above numbers are a pretty good sign that the COVID vaccinations have been effective, to a certain extent, in preventing even Omicron infections, as all the research data shows.

 

Otherwise, those adults age 65 and above likely wouldn't have a seroprevalence rate (33%) less than half of that among up to 17 year olds (74-75%).

 

 

Edited April 27, 20224 yr by TallGuyJohninBKK

COVID-19 - April 28: Thailand reports 14,437 new coronavirus cases, 18,509 recoveries, 127 deaths

 

file photo

 

Thailand on Thursday (April 28) reported 14,437 new COVID-19 cases, 18,509 recoveries and 127 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1258087-covid-19-april-28-thailand-reports-14437-new-coronavirus-cases-18509-recoveries-127-deaths/

 

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