Thailand Ministry of Health reports 7,793 new COVID-19 cases and an additional 18 deaths since yesterday. The ministry also announced an additional 5,202 recovered patients.
Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will propose the easing of COVID-19 curbs. Although case numbers are high, the number of those in critical condition is still low. As omicron becomes a dominant variant, the symptoms are mild.
Mr. Anutin states that “In light of the positive trend, the Public Health Ministry will ask the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to ease as many containment measures as possible quickly. But if there are still threats to public health, the ministry will also propose measures for the public’s safety.”
He also sighted that the number of vaccinations is on a positive trend. It is the number one driver for the containment of the virus. He added that children aged 5-12 years old can now have Pfizer vaccinations. The manufacturer confirmed the order and is expected to deliver by the end of the month.
“We cannot afford to be complacent or let our guard down. We have to prepare just in case,” Mr. Anutin said. Universal measures like social distancing, wearing masks, and urging people to get vaccinated will always be in place.
The ministry is also considering reducing the 14-day quarantine. This is because of the current trend that most people recover within 10 days. The Public Health Ministry insisted that these measures do not contradict WHO warning of treating it as an endemic. They stated that it could be endemic in a year but not in a few days or even a month. This will also depend on the public’s cooperation with the containment measures.
Stay tunes for more Thailand COVID updates.