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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004617

Satun’s Koh Lipe temporarily closed after sea gypsies test positive

The 28-day closure of the popular tourist destination Koh Lipe will boost the confidence of local and foreign travellers in the long run, Satun governor Ekkarat Leesen said on Thursday.

His aim is to link the island to the Phuket Sandbox scheme.

Koh Lipe has been shut to outsiders since Monday after 58 of 160 sea gypsies tested positive for Covid-19 via rapid antigen tests. Of the 58, 16 have been admitted to Satun Hospital, while the rest are being quarantined in the Koh Lipe community facilities.

Another 120 people who are at high risk are also being isolated.

“The situation is better thanks to the rapid test kits. The number of new cases has risen slightly but is not expected to rise any further. The Red Cross has also sent more rapid test kits and food, while the subdistrict administrative organisation is also providing help. The situation has stabilised to an extent,” Ekkarat said.

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Satun’s Koh Lipe temporarily closed after sea gypsies test positiveSatun’s Koh Lipe temporarily closed after sea gypsies test positiveThe local Social Security branch, which is some 70 kilometres from Koh Lipe, has also been told to take care of social security beneficiaries.

The governor explained that the island had to be closed to tourists, so the number of infections does not get out of hand. Also, he said the island will be cleaned and the authorities will meet business owners to come up with solutions.

The provincial authorities have set up a food supply system for the island’s two communities under lockdown.

He said if there are no new infections in 14 days, a clean-up campaign will be launched before the island opens to tourists after 28 days. He said he is confident tourists will want to visit and he will try to make the island part of the Phuket Sandbox scheme.

Satun’s Koh Lipe temporarily closed after sea gypsies test positiveSatun’s Koh Lipe temporarily closed after sea gypsies test positive

Published : August 13, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004615

Chula vaccine very effective, claims volunteer after being in high-risk situation

A vaccine volunteer says that the locally made ChulaCov-19 vaccine is highly effective in preventing Covid-19 infection even in high-risk situations, while sharing his experience on social media.

Facebook user Sukrit Terapanyarat, who claimed to have been a volunteer in the human trial phase of Thailand’s first mRNA vaccine “ChulaCov-19” posted his observations on Thursday.

ChulaCov19 is an mRNA vaccine developed by the Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn University in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania’s Professor Drew Weissman, the world-renowned scientist who invented the technology.

The tests on humans come after successful trials on monkeys and rats. The first phase human trial started on June 14.

“I received two doses of the vaccine at 25 micrograms per dose three weeks apart,” Sukrit said. “After the first dose on June 24, I had mild side-effects, such as headache and fatigue, but no fever, for a few days. After receiving the second dose on July 15, the headache was much worse than after the first dose and I had low fever, which lasted for up to four days.”

Sukrit added that about a week after he received the second dose, his father took a rapid antigen test and found that he was infected. Two of his work colleagues at the office also tested positive in the same week. “This placed me in a high-risk group, as I have been living in the same environment as the infected persons,” he added.

Sukrit said he took his father to a hospital on July 29 when his symptoms worsened. “I was in a high-risk position again as I was wearing only face mask and gloves while helping my father to the hospital,” he said.

“After that day, I remained in isolation for 12 days to monitor the symptoms. Then I took a rapid antigen test and found that I did not have Covid-19.”

Sukrit concluded that the ChualCov-19 vaccine was highly effective even in high-risk situations. “Although the vaccine is effective, it is still recommended to wear face mask and maintain social distancing to protect yourself,” he added.

Chulalongkorn University expected the vaccine to be ready for use by the first or second quarter of 2022.

Published : August 13, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004608

Plan to buy China-made Covid test kits shelved after US faults quality

The Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) on Thursday suspended a plan to purchase 8.5 million sets of antigen test kits (ATKs), following the news that US Food and Drugtne Administration had banned the use of ATKs made by Beijing Lepu Medical Technology.

Sars-CoV-2 Antigen and Leccurate Antibody Test products by Lepu Medical Technology were recalled in the United States on May 28 due to “a high risk of false results when using these tests”, according to the US FDA.

The news has sparked public criticism about the quality of the company’s products.

“The importer of the ATKs, Ostland Capital Ltd, had earlier registered the product with the Thai FDA and on August 10 had proposed a price of THB70 per kit [including VAT] which won the bid,” said Public Health Permanent Secretary Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit, who also serves as president of the GPO board. “However, as many parties have expressed concerns about the product quality, the GPO board decided to postpone the purchase of 8.5 million ATKs indefinitely.

The GPO and the FDA will thoroughly inspect the product quality in the meantime and will give an update as soon as we can.”

Kiattiphum added that the inspection procedures would be fully transparent and verifiable to ensure that the bidding for ATKs is conducted fairly and that Thailand purchases high-quality products at reasonable price.

Published : August 13, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004605

More clinics join forces with NHSO to expand COVID care for patients at home, in communities

Before joining the National Health Security Office’s (NHSO) Home Isolation and Community Isolation system on July 12, Ramintra Health Sanaclinic in Bangkok’s Khan Na Yao district was already reaching out to Covid-19 patients who lacked access to proper healthcare.

The clinic has been volunteering with a group of healthcare workers running a Facebook page called Rao Tong Rot (We Will Survive). The group consists of medical doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers doing whatever they can to help Covid-19 patients who are unable to access healthcare.

And when the clinic – which was already a member of NHSO’s primary care network in Bangkok – was asked to become part of NHSO’s Home Isolation and Community Isolation system, it didn’t hesitate to say yes.

Initially, the clinic is capable of caring for only 16 patients at a time, but it expects to quickly expand its capacity until it can handle up to 100 COVID-19 patients in Home or Community Isolation, said Nunthasak Sookhkaew, a dentist who runs the clinic.

“We’re glad to be joining hands with the NHSO to take care of COVID-19 patients at home, which is a very good policy to cope with the outbreak situation,” he said. “I think all other healthcare providers should join this effort to help those affected.”

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More clinics join forces with NHSO to expand COVID care for patients at home, in communities

As well as providing patients with a thermometer, fingertip pulse oximeter, medications and three meals a day, the clinic also gives them a follow-up video call twice a day, said Dr Piyapong Suvansanya, medical director of Ramintra Health Sahaclinic.

The regular video calls not only check the patients’ condition but also assure them they are being looked after in a proper healthcare system, he said, adding that the caller can also provide appropriate advice after checking the actual health situation of these patients.

If their symptoms worsen, for example with a lung infection even while on NHSO-supplied favipiravir, the clinic will immediately contact Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital and arrange the transfer of the patients to the private hospital for treatment, he said.

The 1,000-baht budget for three meals per patient per day is sufficient and the clinic has no trouble delivering them as this is also part of its voluntary work, said Nunthasak.

As for the 1,100 baht reimbursement for providing each patient with a thermometer and fingertip pulse oximeter, the clinic actually pays more than the given rate, he said.

But this is not a problem because the clinic is willing to help support the NHSO’s effort to aid COVID-19 patients.

The NHSO’s supplying of favipiravir, in particular, helps the clinic cope better with patients who go into COVID-19 isolation at home with mild symptoms but later develop moderate symptoms, he said.

“Since July 12, we’re very happy to have become a part of the NHSO’s Home Isolation and Community Isolation system that helps improve public access to necessary healthcare,” he said.

The provision of COVID-19 antigen test kits has also been very helpful when it comes to active case finding, he said.

The rapid test kits are used for screening people to see who actually needs to undergo an RT-PCR test to confirm if they are infected with the virus, he said.

The NHSO along with Department of Medical Services has developed a guideline for properly reimbursing primary care providers for services offered to COVID-19 patients while they wait at home or in the community for their turn to be admitted to a hospital or field hospital for treatment, said Dr Athaporn Limpanyalers, deputy secretary-general of the NHSO.

“The NHSO would like to thank Ramintra Health Sahaclinic and all other clinics that are taking part in this at-home COVID-19 care system. We do need cooperation from all sides to reach out to all infected patients during this crisis,” he said.

Dr Pattarapan Sakda, the owner of another medical clinic taking part in the COVID-19 care system, said his clinic joined Home and Community Isolation programme on July 19 and is taking care of about 160 patients.

Every day about 20 new COVID-19 patients contact the clinic and request to receive care under the Home Isolation programme, said the doctor.

The Home and Community Isolation system was designed by the Department of Medical Services as a mechanism to turn houses and communities into virtual hospitals equipped with necessary medical devices, medications, food and doctors, said Dr Jadej Thammatacharee, secretary-general of the NHSO.

Several factors are normally considered when deciding which homes or communities are suitable for this COVID-19 care system, he said.

First, only an infected person with no or mild symptoms should receive care at home.

Second, the condition of the patient’s home should also be suitable for COVID-19 isolation. It should have a separate bedroom for each infected person. A residence where two or three infected people sleep in the same room is not suitable for home isolation.

Third, the COVID-19 patient’s understanding and cooperation are also key factors when assessing if he or she should be included in the Home Isolation and Community Isolation programme.

And the other important factor is the relevant hospital’s readiness to arrange a proper healthcare setting, in which a medical doctor is available to make regular video calls to home isolation patients, who are also supplied with thermometers, fingertip pulse oximeters, and three meals a day.

“Because the COVID-19 situation changes constantly and fast, we have to work faster,” said Dr Jadej.

Published : August 13, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004603

Phichit medic who died after booster Pfizer vaccine had underlying health issues

A public health staffer who died in Phichit province after getting a Pfizer booster shot suffered from asthma and hyperlipidemia, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) revealed on Thursday.

“The deceased is a male, aged 44 years. His BMI [body mass index] was 31, which falls within the obesity range,” said DDC director-general Dr Opas Karnkawinpong. “Furthermore, he has underlying health problems, such as asthma and hyperlipidemia, or high levels of fats in the blood. He also had a record of drinking.”

Opas added that the staffer received a Pfizer shot on August 10, which was his third Covid-19 vaccine dose. During 30 minutes of monitoring after the jab, no side-effect was observed. The staffer went back home and spent the night there. On August 11 morning, his colleague found that he was already dead and called the police.

A preliminary test found no trace of Covid-19.

“The DDC and Phichit public health office are investigating the cause of death. We expect to get the detailed autopsy result soon,” added Opas.

Published : August 13, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004596

Thundershowers forecast for all regions with isolated heavy rains in some areas

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Friday that the southwest monsoon prevails over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand, while a low-pressure area covers Laos and upper Vietnam.

Thundershowers are forecast for all regions with isolated heavy rains in the Northeast, the East and the west coast of the South.

Waves 1-2 metres high are expected in the Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand and more than two metres high during thundershowers. All ships should proceed with caution during thundershowers, the department said.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees Celsius, highs of 32-37°C.

Northeast: Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 24-26°C and highs of 32-35°C.

Central: Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 24-26°C, highs of 33-36°C.

East: Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 24-28°C, highs of 30-36°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-25°C, highs of 31-34°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 20-25°C, highs of 28-32°C; waves 1-2 metres high and over two metres during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 25-27°C, highs of 32-35°C.

Published : August 13, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004595

Daily infections reach new high on Friday at 23,418 infections and 184 deaths

Ministry of Public Health reported on Friday (August 13) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 23,418 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 388 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 184, while 20,083 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country are at 863,189 with 7,126 total deaths.
 

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Daily infections reach new high on Friday at 23,418 infections and 184 deaths

Published : August 13, 2021

By : THE NATION