COVID Cases Up as Thailand Expects Seasonal Wave

[webfact]

 

by Paul Rujopakarn
    
BANGKOK (NNT) - The number of severe COVID-19 cases and related deaths in Thailand is on the rise, reflecting the global situation as Thai health authorities expect a small wave of infections during this year’s colder season.

 

According to Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, Permanent Secretary of Public Health, the number of COVID hospitalizations in the week of November 13-19 reached nearly 4,000 cases for a daily average of 565 cases. This was higher than the figure from the previous week, during which about 3,200 patients were hospitalized.

 

69 fatalities were recorded in the same period, which was higher than the 49 reported for the previous week. 432 pneumonia cases were reported last week, along with 252 cases that required mechanical ventilation. These figures were also higher than the previous week, which recorded 329 pneumonia cases and 178 intubations.

 

Dr Opas said many countries around the world are now reporting higher cases, signaling the start of a new wave of infections.

 

Health authorities in Thailand had been expecting a small wave towards the end of the year as more people engage in group activities and events. Respiratory viruses also tend to spread faster during colder seasons when they can remain in the environment for longer periods.

 

The Ministry of Public Health is encouraging the general public to keep up with their COVID-19 vaccinations, as the majority of severe cases and deaths occur among the unvaccinated and those who did not get their boosters.

 

Concerning newer COVID variants, Dr Opas said more time is needed to determine if the strains are more transmissible or virulent. Newer variants tend to be more transmissible due to their ability to evade immune responses, though there is so far no evidence to suggest they can cause more serious symptoms.

 

Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG221123060736428

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2022-11-23

 

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[DavisH]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

as the majority of severe cases and deaths occur among the unvaccinated and those who did not get their boosters.

Conveniently ignoring the fact that most of these unvaccinated are either elderly/immunocompromised. The vast majority of children are unvaccinated and should not be vaccinated. 

Also, continual mask wearing is not allowing the population to develop natural immunity through exposure to pthogens. Expect the flu and other infections to increase due to this, as we are seeing in the US at the moment. 

[jacko45k]

13 minutes ago, DavisH said:

Also, continual mask wearing is not allowing the population to develop natural immunity through exposure to pthogens

Beware,,,, that comment does indirectly suggest that wearing masks reduced the chances of infection.... not a popular thought on this board! 

 

[huangnon]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The Ministry of Public Health is encouraging the general public to keep up with their COVID-19 vaccinations, as the majority of severe cases and deaths occur among the unvaccinated and those who did not get their boosters.

 

Well, they would now, wouldn't they.?

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1278581-thailands-gpo-to-begin-phase-3-clinical-trials-of-its-covid-vaccine-in-december/

[internationalism]

Give health advice to public, that dirty air con filters, running air con constantly without regularly ventilating rooms by opening windows and doors and that staying indoors do spread all germs, including fungus. 
There are many vaccination, beside covid, starting from free flu jab. 
some others are paid, and can be expensive, up to 5k per dose, but they last for many years. 
Populace, as well as health professionals, did neglect those vaxes during covid era.  They became unpopular for many reasons. 
I think many went to waste after expiry date. Multiple jabs of them which I was getting the last and this year, mostly were close to expiry date (with multi year validity).  That means that too many were ordered and the market for them diminished. 

Edited November 23, 2022 by internationalism