Thailand Ministry of Health reports 22,197 new COVID-19 cases and an additional 45 deaths since yesterday. The ministry also announced an additional 19,093 recovered patients.
Public Health Ministry Permanent Secretary, Dr. Kiattiphum Wongrajit is hoping to increase awareness on COVID-19 treatment. As 95% of the cases are now asymptomatic or mild symptoms, there is no urgent need for hospitalization. Most people are not aware that non-severe cases do not require hospital confinement. The Ministry hopes to introduce the Self Isolation service as it transitions COVID-19 as endemic.
“We need people to change their mindset when it comes to the right medical treatment for Covid-19 as an endemic disease,” he said.
Home Isolation is suitable for asymptomatic and mild symptoms. Self Isolation is slightly different as patients will receive prescription drugs. There is also a facility transfer assistance and a one-time follow-up call. They will then stay at home for seven days and monitor their progress through an ATK test.
This is an additional option while Community Isolation and Home Isolation remain active.
Meanwhile, hoteliers are asking to scrap the RT-PCR test and the Thailand Pass as a whole. With the conflict in Russia and Ukraine costing many economies, the tourism sector outlook is not so good.
Founder and Chairman of Minor Internation, William Heinecke says that if the government would like to recover, they would need to scrap the Thailand Pass system. This will resume the regular travel requirements to Thailand. It could open the doors to more tourists and increase the arrivals.
He sighted examples such as the UK, the US, the majority of Europe, the Philippines, Cambodia, and the Middle East. The current Travel Pass rules will make it a bit more difficult for tourists. Also, the additional cost of traveling while economies tumble could be an issue.
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