Thai PM Urged Health Authorities To Closely Monitor Rising Covid-19 Cases

(CTN News) – As new infections continue to rise after the holidays, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has asked health authorities in important tourist areas to constantly monitor the number of Covid-19 cases.

Rise In Covid-19 Infections

The instruction was given in response to statistics on caseloads from April 16 to 22 from the Department of Disease Control (DDC), which showed an increase in Covid infections.

Anucha Burapachaisri, a government spokesperson, stated that the prime minister is particularly worried about members of the “608” category, which includes senior persons, people with chronic illnesses, medical professionals, and frontline workers.

To maintain their Covid immunizations, people in this group are encouraged to have a booster shot. The Public Health Ministry has also been charged with keeping an eye on the Omicron variant’s XBB.1.16 substrain’s spread.

 

According to DDC forecasts, there will be twice as many new cases this week as there were last week, especially in popular tourist destinations like Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Chon Buri.

XBB.1.16 is a recombinant or hybrid strain of BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75 sublineages of the novel coronavirus

According to the Department of Medical Sciences, the novel coronavirus XBB.1.16 is a recombinant or hybrid strain of the BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75 sublineages.

Although it is more immune-evasive and contagious than XBB.1.5, there is no proof that it produces severe symptoms.

The Public Health Ministry expects a further increase in Covid cases beginning next month and continuing during the upcoming wet season.

In response, the Ministry revised its vaccination recommendations to advise getting a Covid booster shot once a year, ideally before to the start of the rainy season.

Any vaccine is considered appropriate, and people should get a booster shot at least three months after their last shot or after they’ve recovered from an infection.

The concurrent administration of influenza vaccination is regarded as safe.

People are nevertheless reminded to use caution and wear masks when in crowded areas or on public transit.

Director-general of the DDC Tares Krassanairawiwong reported a surge in new caseloads following Songkran. This week saw 1,088 new infections, or about 155 new cases per day, which is a 2.5-fold increase from the previous week.

Over the next two weeks, it’s likely that this figure will increase again. To accommodate individuals with severe Covid symptoms.

Thailand is rumored to have an abundance of medical supplies and hospital beds.

Immunocompromised people can choose to receive a long-acting antibody (LAAB) jab at hospitals and medical centres across the nation.

According to a report released on Thursday by the National Committee on Communicable Diseases, starting this year, those in the 608 category will be entitled to a free annual Covid vaccination at state-run facilities, which can be given in conjunction with a flu shot.

The World Health Organisation has changed the designation of the XBB.1.16 sub-strain from a “variant under monitoring” to a “variant of interest” as a result of the XBB variant sub-strains being to blame for recent rises in Covid cases throughout the world.

In Thailand, one case of XBB.1.16.1 and six additional cases of the Omicron XBB.1.16 sub-variant were both confirmed on Tuesday by the Department of Medical Sciences.