News Forum - Thailand’s Covid alert back at Level 4, CCSA says no lockdowns

[Thaiger]

As infections continue to rise sharply across the country, the government has raised the Covid alert to Level 4 nationwide. The move comes as the number of severe cases and deaths also continues to rise, with most of the deaths reported in the elderly, the unvaccinated, and those with underlying health conditions. However, the CCSA has stated that lockdowns will not be implemented in order to curb the spread. Instead, disease prevention and containment measures are to be ramped up across the country, according to a Bangkok Post report. According to the Public Health Ministry, there has been a noticeable […]

The story Thailand’s Covid alert back at Level 4, CCSA says no lockdowns as seen on Thaiger News.

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[LoongFred]

Certainly not a time to relax and reduce screening of those coming into Thailand.

[Soidog]

It’s a shame there is no mention of increasing testing and making ATK’s free to people so they can test more and self isolate if infected. The virus is present in significant numbers across all provinces. I would also like to see consistency being applied across areas with similar infection rates. All provinces are now regarded as red zones and as such the closure of high risk venues such as bars should be closed. So close them. Close them all in all provinces. But they won’t. Bars in most provinces will carry on opening and be allowed the ridiculous act of serving beer in coffee cups, while bars in Bangkok (highest number of infections) will serve openly. Laws such as no alcohol after 11 will be totally and blatantly ignored in full view of police. Once again, the scourge of corruption is what leads to this pandemic being prolonged. 

[Chaimai]

9 minutes ago, Soidog said:

It’s a shame there is no mention of increasing testing and making ATK’s free to people so they can test more and self isolate if infected. The virus is present in significant numbers across all provinces. I would also like to see consistency being applied across areas with similar infection rates. All provinces are now regarded as red zones and as such the closure of high risk venues such as bars should be closed. So close them. Close them all in all provinces. But they won’t. Bars in most provinces will carry on opening and be allowed the ridiculous act of serving beer in coffee cups, while bars in Bangkok (highest number of infections) will serve openly. Laws such as no alcohol after 11 will be totally and blatantly ignored in full view of police. Once again, the scourge of corruption is what leads to this pandemic being prolonged. 

 

I really think that the numbers don't matter. The thought process that says "keep restrictions" is symptomatic of what I think one of the problems is......we have been sucked into a numbers game with Covid and the actions of government, and individuals, are dictated by rises/falls in reported case numbers.

Don't report the case numbers!

Live your life sensibility in accordance with prevailing conditions. Those conditions now relate to an 'endemic' that is, at best, akin to mild flu. Those conditions do not warrant  wrecking the economy for.

Do you want flu? No, not if you can sensibility avoid it - and protect against the effects of it by appropriate vaccination. If you think that you have flu would would you risk passing it on to your 95 year old Granny? No!.....well somebody in the royal household has managed to do that to Britain's queen.

Someone has managed to strike fear into the word Covid whereby many people regard it as being like the Bubonic Plague. In the early days when the virus was new and virulent it was appropriate to take strong action - but not now. We have to learn to live with this virus because it is unlikely to go away. Restrictions are not going to help - or at least they will create more damage than they save.

As with flu, let people decide how they deal with it. If you have no symptoms carry on your life normally (which means get vaccinated, be aware of the risks of COVID by taking preventative action - and being particularly careful around at risk family and friends. If you feel unwell act in accordance with the degree of unwellness; self-isolate, test and resume normal life when you feel well - and show a negative test. Seek medical attention if symptoms are more severe.

 

[LoongFred]

8 minutes ago, Chaimai said:

I really think that the numbers don't matter. The thought process that says "keep restrictions" is symptomatic of what I think one of the problems is......we have been sucked into a numbers game with Covid and the actions of government, and individuals, are dictated by rises/falls in reported case numbers.

Don't report the case numbers!

Live your life sensibility in accordance with prevailing conditions. Those conditions now relate to an 'endemic' that is, at best, akin to mild flu. Those conditions do not warrant  wrecking the economy for.

Do you want flu? No, not if you can sensibility avoid it - and protect against the effects of it by appropriate vaccination. If you think that you have flu would would you risk passing it on to your 95 year old Granny? No!.....well somebody in the royal household has managed to do that to Britain's queen.

Someone has managed to strike fear into the word Covid whereby many people regard it as being like the Bubonic Plague. In the early days when the virus was new and virulent it was appropriate to take strong action - but not now. We have to learn to live with this virus because it is unlikely to go away. Restrictions are not going to help - or at least they will create more damage than they save.

As with flu, let people decide how they deal with it. If you have no symptoms carry on your life normally (which means get vaccinated, be aware of the risks of COVID by taking preventative action - and being particularly careful around at risk family and friends. If you feel unwell act in accordance with the degree of unwellness; self-isolate, test and resume normal life when you feel well - and show a negative test. Seek medical attention if symptoms are more severe.

Using the British queen as an example. I'm sure she received the best treatment such as monoclonal antibodies that seem to be restricted to the rest of us. That said covid infection even in those vaccinated can range from sever to mild. It can be quit serious and were not sure about long term effects. We need to take all steps to reduce the spread. High risk venues like bars etc are a no brainer, other areas of concern are any place people are forced to be in close contact, like buses, trains and or planes. These need special reactions and adequate ventilation is critical. 

Although the tourist industry is in serious trouble, now is not the time to travel. 

As I have said before, we need to concentrate on therapeutics.  Maybe a program like "warp speed 2" to develop them would be in order. However, this needs clear leadership.

[Manu]

27 minutes ago, Chaimai said:

I really think that the numbers don't matter. The thought process that says "keep restrictions" is symptomatic of what I think one of the problems is......we have been sucked into a numbers game with Covid and the actions of government, and individuals, are dictated by rises/falls in reported case numbers.

Don't report the case numbers!

Live your life sensibility in accordance with prevailing conditions. Those conditions now relate to an 'endemic' that is, at best, akin to mild flu. Those conditions do not warrant  wrecking the economy for.

Do you want flu? No, not if you can sensibility avoid it - and protect against the effects of it by appropriate vaccination. If you think that you have flu would would you risk passing it on to your 95 year old Granny? No!.....well somebody in the royal household has managed to do that to Britain's queen.

Someone has managed to strike fear into the word Covid whereby many people regard it as being like the Bubonic Plague. In the early days when the virus was new and virulent it was appropriate to take strong action - but not now. We have to learn to live with this virus because it is unlikely to go away. Restrictions are not going to help - or at least they will create more damage than they save.

As with flu, let people decide how they deal with it. If you have no symptoms carry on your life normally (which means get vaccinated, be aware of the risks of COVID by taking preventative action - and being particularly careful around at risk family and friends. If you feel unwell act in accordance with the degree of unwellness; self-isolate, test and resume normal life when you feel well - and show a negative test. Seek medical attention if symptoms are more severe.

In quite a few posts for a while now, I have used the word "rationality". So it is nice as always to read another sensible comment full of calm rationality. Cheers Chaimai.

[NCC1701A]

anyone who is not vaccinated or does not wear a mask or have their digital ID should be put to death.  

anyone with covid symptoms no matter how mild or coughs or sneezes for any reason should be put into covid concentration camps for one year. 

no one should be allowed to travel anywhere for any purpose. 

none of these restrictions will be lifted at any point in the future. 

these are small sacrifices for you to make for my safety. 

[Cabra]

They (CCSA) say they are (will be) basing future decisions on number of severe cases requiring hospitalization and deaths, yet there is no transparency in the number of severe cases in hospital being reported (that I've seen). That's unfortunate. There is no question that the number of infections/cases will continue to rise over the next 30 days. Hopefully the death court remains low, and this too shall pass. Stay safe.

[Manu]

10 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

anyone who is not vaccinated or does not wear a mask or have their digital ID should be put to death.  

anyone with covid symptoms no matter how mild or coughs or sneezes for any reason should be put into covid concentration camps for one year. 

no one should be allowed to travel anywhere for any purpose. 

none of these restrictions will be lifted at any point in the future. 

these are small sacrifices for you to make for my safety. 

...and for your safety, we will rise taxes on cigarettes, alcohol, gasoline for your car and bike, on food products used for your favourite junk food, all the things you like in life cause safety has a cost and it is normal that you pay for it.

- But those things also kill far more than covid?

- Shut up!

- And what about tax rises on essentials like electricity, gas, food? And what about my job, my small business that I have lost while you were making the world safe?

- Shut up!

- Ok.

[Soidog]

1 hour ago, Chaimai said:

I really think that the numbers don't matter. The thought process that says "keep restrictions" is symptomatic of what I think one of the problems is......we have been sucked into a numbers game with Covid and the actions of government, and individuals, are dictated by rises/falls in reported case numbers.

Don't report the case numbers!

Live your life sensibility in accordance with prevailing conditions. Those conditions now relate to an 'endemic' that is, at best, akin to mild flu. Those conditions do not warrant  wrecking the economy for.

Do you want flu? No, not if you can sensibility avoid it - and protect against the effects of it by appropriate vaccination. If you think that you have flu would would you risk passing it on to your 95 year old Granny? No!.....well somebody in the royal household has managed to do that to Britain's queen.

Someone has managed to strike fear into the word Covid whereby many people regard it as being like the Bubonic Plague. In the early days when the virus was new and virulent it was appropriate to take strong action - but not now. We have to learn to live with this virus because it is unlikely to go away. Restrictions are not going to help - or at least they will create more damage than they save.

As with flu, let people decide how they deal with it. If you have no symptoms carry on your life normally (which means get vaccinated, be aware of the risks of COVID by taking preventative action - and being particularly careful around at risk family and friends. If you feel unwell act in accordance with the degree of unwellness; self-isolate, test and resume normal life when you feel well - and show a negative test. Seek medical attention if symptoms are more severe.

Totally agree. The Omicron variant has been seen as a positive as it is more transmissible and yet less deadly, especially for those who are vaccinated. 
 

Throughout 2020/21, I was a strong supporter of restrictions and lockdowns. Since the effects of Omicron were known and people given booster shots, my opinions have changed. If it was a case of  a new and improved vaccine being available and needing 6 more months to deploy it, then fine, I’d take the restrictions. But that’s not the case. We have what’s available and it’s already in the vast majority of people. Add another few million who will have had the virus and hence have some protection, it’s time to move on now.  

[samiam123]

2 hours ago, LoongFred said:

Certainly not a time to relax and reduce screening of those coming into Thailand.

Do you actually still believe that has anything to do with anything???

Vietnam is not letting tourists in and their cases are hitting all time highs right now.  Vaccinated tourists coming in has zero negative implications.  Screening tourists does nothing.

Edited February 22, 2022 by samiam123

[fpschubert]

As of now, PH has averaging 2k cases per day (1.3k cases yesterday) and are expected to be in the loosest form of Alert Level (Alert Level 1- Full reopening) by March 1st. Hopefully, the experience of Philippines in dealing with Omicron, ie. initial high cases, then eventually plummeted and no significant impact on healthcare system, will enable the Thai government to loosen the restrictions, IMHO.

 

[Stonker]

3 hours ago, Soidog said:

. All provinces are now regarded as red zones and as such the closure of high risk venues such as bars should be closed.

That's simply untrue, in both theory and practice - some provinces are obviously in a far more serious position than others.

The WHO give the breakdown by province, based on population, noting as of 15 February that:
• There is a wide variation in the rate of new cases ranging from 33 to 1,000 cases
per million population
• The highest rate of new cases was reported in Phuket, reporting over 1,000
cases per million population
• Lower rates of cases (182 cases per million or less) were reported in 62% of Thai
provinces (48 of 77) across most of the north, north-east, central, upper
western and the southernmost provinces of Thailand
• Higher rates of cases were mainly found in provinces in and around Bangkok and
in the upper and middle southern provinces

ttps://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/2022_02_15_tha-sitrep-223-covid-19_eng.pd

 

[Stonker]

2 hours ago, Chaimai said:

As with flu, let people decide how they deal with it.

... and that approach has worked so well in countries that have done that, hasn't it?

[Tim_Melb]

28 minutes ago, fpschubert said:

As of now, PH has averaging 2k cases per day (1.3k cases yesterday) and are expected to be in the loosest form of Alert Level (Alert Level 1- Full reopening) by March 1st. Hopefully, the experience of Philippines in dealing with Omicron, ie. initial high cases, then eventually plummeted and no significant impact on healthcare system, will enable the Thai government to loosen the restrictions, IMHO.

Complete rubbish, I have already given a factual example of the figures being fake you can quote official figures all you like but all Filipino's know they are fake and that caes numbers are still rising in some provence. Most expats will tell you the same thing. The government is using these fake figures to justify reopening because they desperately need the orders open to get foreign money back into their economy which has been devastated by the double hit of Covid and Typhoon Rai/Odette which has destroyed most of the major tourist regions of the country. 

[Stonker]

2 hours ago, Cabra said:

... (snip) ...there is no transparency in the number of severe cases in hospital being reported (that I've seen). That's unfortunate.

Well, it's unfortunate that you haven't seen it.

You can find them updated regularly at the WHO site for Thailand ( https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/2022_02_15_tha-sitrep-223-covid-19_eng.pdf  ) which gives a full and detailed monthly breakdown of deaths, the Case Fatality Rate, hospital bed occupancy, and 'Severe and ventilated Covid Cases (bed occupancy)'.

As at 15 February, severe cases were up by 17% in the last seven days and ventilated cases up by 19%, and deaths up by 26%.

Edit: it also shows the number of tests carried out and the results, including ATK tests.

 

[Stonker]

1 hour ago, samiam123 said:

Do you actually still believe that has anything to do with anything???

Vietnam is not letting tourists in and their cases are hitting all time highs right now.  Vaccinated tourists coming in has zero negative implications.  Screening tourists does nothing.

The problem isn't that tourists / arrivals are bringing Covid with them, although apparently quite a few are.

The problem is what tourists bring with them in terms of tourism: bars, socialising, travel, reduced mask wearing, etc.

Most tourists are currently going to Phuket, which is also one of the most vaccinated provinces in Thailand so it should have one of the lowest Covid rates. Unfortunately it actually has the highest by population size, with over 1,000 cases per million, compared to as few as 33 per million in provinces with little or no tourism.

https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/2022_02_15_tha-sitrep-223-covid-19_eng.pdf

[Stonker]

2 hours ago, Soidog said:

We have what’s available and it’s already in the vast majority of people.

Sorry, but again that's totally untrue.

The "vast majority of people" here, in Thailand, are NOT double jabbed with an effective (mRNA) vaccine, nor do the vast majority even have an mRNA booster jab.

That won't happen for at least another three months as the vaccines aren't available nor does the time required between the second and booster shots (6 months for those who had an initial mRNA pair, three months for others) allow it.

According to the WHO last week only 17,987,611 have had a third / booster dose, so less than a third of the population not "the vast majority" and most of those have been for those who previously had Sinovac or Sinopharm.

https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/2022_02_15_tha-sitrep-223-covid-19_eng.pdf

(These stats are all from the WHO, not from Thailand, to avoid any debate over Thailand's own figures)

[23RD]

3 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

anyone who is not vaccinated or does not wear a mask or have their digital ID should be put to death.  

anyone with covid symptoms no matter how mild or coughs or sneezes for any reason should be put into covid concentration camps for one year. 

no one should be allowed to travel anywhere for any purpose. 

none of these restrictions will be lifted at any point in the future. 

these are small sacrifices for you to make for my safety. 

Sounds like what's happening in Canada right now under PM Trudeau.

Edited February 22, 2022 by Transam
An unfortunate wording..

[Cabra]

45 minutes ago, Stonker said:

You can find them updated regularly at the WHO site for Thailand

Good to know. Thanks. Do wish it was more widely report in Thai media outlets

[Stonker]

14 minutes ago, Cabra said:

Good to know. Thanks. Do wish it was more widely report in Thai media outlets

A pleasure - it's a very informative site, answers pretty much every question you and others have asked, and while the stats may be from Thailand they're good enough for the WHO.

(and thanks for the thanks ).

[Stonker]

1 hour ago, fpschubert said:

... initial high cases, then eventually plummeted and no significant impact on healthcare system, will enable the Thai government to loosen the restrictions, IMHO.

Well, wouldn't it make sense to wait until they plummet, along with the deaths and serious cases, before doing anything or raising hopes?

At the moment they're going up by around 20% a week.

[fpschubert]

2 hours ago, Tim_Melb said:

Complete rubbish, I have already given a factual example of the figures being fake you can quote official figures all you like but all Filipino's know they are fake and that caes numbers are still rising in some provence. Most expats will tell you the same thing. The government is using these fake figures to justify reopening because they desperately need the orders open to get foreign money back into their economy which has been devastated by the double hit of Covid and Typhoon Rai/Odette which has destroyed most of the major tourist regions of the country. 

Again, unless you back your sayings with credible and verifiable data and keep spouting "fake figures" with just hearsays as evidences, then you're talking out of your ass.

 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1558023/metro-manilas-covid-19-positivity-rate-down-to-4-9-octa

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/02/19/2161765/palace-positivity-rate-shows-covid-19-cases-really-declining

 

Edited February 22, 2022 by fpschubert

[LoongFred]

5 hours ago, Stonker said:

The problem isn't that tourists / arrivals are bringing Covid with them, although apparently quite a few are.

The problem is what tourists bring with them in terms of tourism: bars, socialising, travel, reduced mask wearing, etc.

Most tourists are currently going to Phuket, which is also one of the most vaccinated provinces in Thailand so it should have one of the lowest Covid rates. Unfortunately it actually has the highest by population size, with over 1,000 cases per million, compared to as few as 33 per million in provinces with little or no tourism.

https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/2022_02_15_tha-sitrep-223-covid-19_eng.pdf

So what your saying, it's not just the tourist bringing more covid, but creating environments for the increased spread. That totally makes sense. <content deleted as off-topic personal bias in the extreme>

Edited February 22, 2022 by KaptainRob
Refer Forum Guidelines

[Stonker]

1 hour ago, LoongFred said:

So what your saying, it's not just the tourist bringing more covid, but creating environments for the increased spread. That totally makes sense. <content deleted as off-topic personal bias in the extreme>

Well, I'm not actually saying tourists bring more Covid as I don't think they do to any degree - what I'm saying, as I have done ad nauseam before, is that they're "creating environments for the increased spread", as you put it very succinctly.