File photo for reference only

 

Thailand is witnessing a worrying resurgence of Covid-19 cases, with over 8,446 hospital visits recorded between 27th April and 3rd May. This uptick in cases has been brought to attention by Assoc Prof Dr Thira Woratanarat, a respected public health expert from Chulalongkorn University. Bangkok has emerged as the epicentre of this latest wave, logging the highest number of new infections at 2,377, according to Dr Thira's recent analysis.

 

Following Bangkok, other areas with significant numbers include Chonburi with 680 cases, Nonthaburi reporting 490, Rayong with 380, and Samut Prakan recording 327 cases. This resurgence underscores a pivotal challenge as the country hoped to maintain control over the Covid-19 situation.

 

One of the notable trends in this recent surge is the age distribution of those affected. The highest infection rates are among individuals aged 30 to 39 years, accounting for 1,794 cases. Close behind are those aged 20 to 29, with 1,540 cases. Crucially, older adults over 60 also figure prominently, recording 1,536 infections. However, it is the spike in cases among very young children, aged 0 to 4, that is raising special concern, with 682 cases identified.

 

Dr Thira has highlighted these dynamics to alert public health officials and the general public about the broader implications of this trend. He pointed out that between 4th and 7th May, Covid-19 cases were roughly double the number of influenza cases, spotlighting the severity of the current outbreak. In this period, there were 2,593 Covid-19 cases compared to 1,321 influenza cases.

 

Worryingly, there has also been one recorded Covid-19-related death during this timeframe. The health expert warns that individuals showing symptoms right now have a two-to-one likelihood of having Covid-19 over influenza, with an estimated 67% chance of contracting the virus if symptomatic.

 

In response to this renewed threat, Dr Thira stressed the importance of targeted precautions for vulnerable groups such as young children, school students, the elderly, and those already hospitalised. He advises that individuals, particularly those working, should make health assessments a routine to ensure both personal safety and the safety of others. Dr Thira also recommends routine screening for inpatients and those scheduled for surgery, helping to safeguard patients and medical staff within healthcare facilities.

 

He further called on educational institutions, childcare centres, elderly care facilities, and hospitals to adopt and enforce effective risk management strategies promptly. Quick action is necessary, he emphasised, to prevent a broader outbreak that could affect diverse age groups. The call for vigilance and proactive measures aligns with a global understanding that pandemic control requires collective effort and community-wide commitment.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-05-08

 

 

3 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand is witnessing a worrying resurgence of Covid-19 cases

 

That depends on what the symptoms are like.

 

3 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Worryingly, there has also been one recorded Covid-19-related death during this timeframe.

 

How many flu "related" deaths have their been in that time period?

 

3 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Dr Thira stressed the importance of targeted precautions for vulnerable groups such as young children, school students, the elderly, and those already hospitalised.

 

Yup.  Masks and lockdowns for the rest of time.  🙄

Glad I saved my mask from last time. 

3 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

vulnerable groups such as young children, school students

 

Young people have a minuscule risk....those at risk  as was the case since the beginning  are the elderly and those with  other health issues  such as being obese...seems they want to play this whole playbook all over again..I'm hoping that most people are now a bit more "awake"  ???

Gawd, here we go. Let the thing run. 

10 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

How many flu "related" deaths have their been in that time period?

 

2023    0.27

2024   0.98   (global influenza A surge)

 

But the 0.27 person was cremated at low power.  

 

70 million people.  One death.  I'm liking those odds.

 

I wonder how old, and how many comorbidities of that one victim.

 

What's missing from this article is severity. Covid, flu, and colds. Which one is worse? Obviously influenza. Covid/Omicron has been a non-severe viral infection for years.

Had to take family to hospital as we all got sick with sore throat and coughing and congestion. The hospital told us we had to buy covid and flu testing kits at pharmacy prior to seeing the doctor. All clear for that test. But a waste to spend 900 baht on the tests prior to even seeing the doctor. 

I do not see why they demand we buy our own test kits at a pharmacy when the hospital could supply them at a cost to make profit from this as well. 

At any rate, at least we know it is not the new covid spreading around. Will have to be careful now especially with schools opening next week. It may be prudent to purchase some new masks for the kids as the schools may begin to require them again if this outbreak gets worse. 

 

That's why I never stopped wearing a mask, even in the shower and ........    I knew when I saw others wearing a mask in 2025 they knew something as well.   Masks for life!!!!!   Three when sleeping and four when driving, replace every 9 minutes.  

Must be due to all the foreign tourists coming to Thailand.

It’s just the freaking flu. They are just fueling this Covid wave to have an excuse for the lack of visitors and now due to their own ignorance, less people will come. They want another lockdown. 

8,000 cases in a week? Not to be sneezed at!

A good friend of mine just got the latest variant of covid, she was in bed for a day the next day she was feeling just a little bit of a cough, and most virologists agree that this thing just keeps getting weaker and weaker with each variant.

 

So this is a big nothing burger, do not worry yourself for a nanosecond. But it definitely will keep a certain percent of the population masked up for the foreseeable future, that's on them. 

Normal flu... nothing much as its getting hotter and rains... 

12 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

 

That depends on what the symptoms are like.

 

 

How many flu "related" deaths have their been in that time period?

 

 

Yup.  Masks and lockdowns for the rest of time.  🙄

basically, comes down to common sense.  I haven't seen any additional required wearing of a mask but have noted more people are aware of the lurking diseases so see more masks.  I have no problem with that as it is a personal thing and not something I disdain others of doing like so many people on this forum it seems to me (IMHO).

This is what happens when you allow bars to stay open until 4 am. A lot of drunk diseased-infected cretins slobbeing  around spreading their germs at all hours in the morning.

6 minutes ago, Presnock said:

basically, comes down to common sense.  I haven't seen any additional required wearing of a mask but have noted more people are aware of the lurking diseases so see more masks.  I have no problem with that as it is a personal thing and not something I disdain others of doing like so many people on this forum it seems to me (IMHO).

 

I think the reason people have an issue with it is precisely because it isn't a case of common sense.  If there isn't any real reason to wear masks (outside of pollution), but people do, it seems kind of daft.  Then you've got the issue of some Thais only wearing a mask around foreigners.  It's really a case of alarmism/hysteria, with a hint of racism.

22 minutes ago, factual monk said:

Normal flu... nothing much as its getting hotter and rains... 

Flu? It's not influenza. It's incredible you still think this way. Common cold, influenza and Omicron although sharing many symptoms are completely different viruses.

30 minutes ago, Homburg said:

8,000 cases in a week? Not to be sneezed at!

 

Probably all the 8,000 cases are vaccinated people. I know someone that lost her mother(vaxxed). Her brother is on a respirator and almost gone(vaxxed). My friend is in and out of the hospital with severe respiratory problems and horrible headaches.(vaxxed) What you are seeing are the the results from the "vaccines". So to finish them off, more testing and... vaccines. 

12 hours ago, johng said:

 

Young people have a minuscule risk....those at risk  as was the case since the beginning  are the elderly and those with  other health issues  such as being obese...seems they want to play this whole playbook all over again..I'm hoping that most people are now a bit more "awake"  ???

Here we go again. Online experts who knows better than trained Dr's and scientists, not to mention the facts!! 

11 minutes ago, Presnock said:

I haven't seen any additional required wearing of a mask but have noted more people are aware of the lurking diseases so see more masks. 

 

There's also news on the interwebs about something nasty going around Russia and that seems to be driving an increase in mask use.  At least here in China.  I haven't seen the news myself, but my local GF has warned me to wear a mask if I may encounter any Russkies.

 

@DULEROY. You need to source your above post.

 

1 hour ago, Quentin Zen said:

That's why I never stopped wearing a mask, even in the shower and ........    I knew when I saw others wearing a mask in 2025 they knew something as well.   Masks for life!!!!!   Three when sleeping and four when driving, replace every 9 minutes.  

I remember having a discussion here back when people were hiding under their bed. I got warned with a ban because I apparently was spreading misinformation when I questioned Covid and Lord Fauci without swallowing everything we were being fed by the media

2 minutes ago, thjames007 said:

Here we go again. Online experts who knows better than trained Dr's and scientists, not to mention the facts!! 

Don't forget "trained scientists and doctors" were saying the mRNA jabs were "safe and effective" and the lab leak was a conspiracy theory and Covid was zoonotic.

Thailandia, the new Hub for Covid. The only one!  

Oh give it rest FFS. Do you scaremonger how many flu cases there are.

4 minutes ago, riverhigh said:

This is what happens when you allow bars to stay open until 4 am. A lot of drunk diseased-infected cretins slobbeing  around spreading their germs at all hours in the morning.

What garbage.... you're actually saying that it's only drunk people in the early hours of the morning that spread the virus. So then the rest of the time their are no germs spread...Mmmm that is good to know, and your ridiculous statement should be made commom knowledge...not!. 😬

9 minutes ago, thjames007 said:

Here we go again. Online experts who knows better than trained Dr's and scientists, not to mention the facts!! 

I am almost certain that you have some kind of shrine set up for Dr. Fauci somewhere in your house. 

One of the notable trends in this recent surge is the age distribution of those affected. The highest infection rates are among individuals aged 30 to 39 years, accounting for 1,794 cases. Close behind are those aged 20 to 29, with 1,540 cases. Crucially, older adults over 60 also figure prominently, recording 1,536 infections. However, it is the spike in cases among very young children, aged 0 to 4, that is raising special concern, with 682 cases identified.

Out of a population of over 70 million people.  Put it into perspective.  And right now, Thai Health is pushing those safe and effective flu and Covid shots though the government hospital systems.  Coincidence?