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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004412

GPO to buy 8.5 million rapid test kits for free distribution nationwide

The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) announced on Monday that suppliers of the rapid antigen test kit will give GPO their price list on Tuesday before the organisation buys a batch to distribute across Thailand.

In line with the National Health Security Office’s plan, the GPO has been assigned by the Rajavithi Hospital to procure 8.5 million test kits for free distribution nationwide.

The GPO said that it and two other organisations have worked on ensuring the procurement is done transparently.

Published : August 09, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004413

BMA turns attention to homeless people in bid to tackle Covid

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has launched three initiatives involving screening, vaccination, and food distribution points for homeless groups in the capital, in a bid to contain the Covid-19 outbreak.

In a post on social media on Sunday, BMA Governor Aswin Kwanmuang said: “There are more than 1,000 homeless people in Bangkok with high risk of virus infection. Therefore, the BMA is preparing to bring those people to Homeless Shelter, Protection Centre for the Destitute, and Mitmaitri Home. Homeless people have been refusing to enter these shelters, but as the virus is spreading among this group, the BMA has launched three initiatives to provide them with care.”

The three measures are:
1. Use rapid antigen test kits in homeless communities.
    – If infected, they will be transferred to a community isolation centre.
    – If infected with psychiatric problems, they will be transferred to Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry, Galya Rajanagarindra Institute, or Srithanya Hospital.
    – If not infected, they will be invited to stay at the Protection Centre for the Destitute or four of Mitmaitri Houses.
2. Vaccinate homeless people
3. Set up food distribution points in areas with dense population of homeless people, such as Pranakorn, Pathumwan, and Ratchathewi districts. Each district office will be responsible for organising safety measures against the virus spreading.

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“The BMA is providing urgent care for homeless groups to prevent the spread of the virus. These homeless people are Bangkok residents and they need to be taken care of,” said the governor.

Published : August 09, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004411

New field hospital on Bang Na-Trat ready to accept Covid-19 patients

The Saeng Haeng Jai field hospital on Bang Na-Trat KM 5 can accommodate 450 Covid-19 patients and is accepting registrations online and via the call centre.

The field hospital was set up in cooperation with the Principal Healthcare Group, Magnolia Quality Development Corporation, EEC Engineering Network, T&B Media Global, Dhanin Tawee Chearavanont Foundation, Ariyawararom Foundation and Buddharaksa Foundation.

It is being funded by more than 30 organisations, including the SCG Foundation, Charoen Pokphand Group, MK Restaurant Group and True Corporation.

Dr Athiwat Noiprasit, chief performance coach and risk and quality officer at the Principal Healthcare Group, said the field hospital has more than 50 medics on hand and up to 76 beds equipped with oxygen high-flow pipes.

He said patients in severe condition will be sent to Princ Suvarnabhumi Hospital nearby.

“Registrants’ information will be sent to an assessment centre for evaluation to see if they should be isolated at home, at a field hospital or sent to hospital for treatment,” said Athiwat, who is overseeing operations at the field hospital.

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New field hospital on Bang Na-Trat ready to accept Covid-19 patients

Covid-19 patients can register via website or call (02) 116 7888.

New field hospital on Bang Na-Trat ready to accept Covid-19 patientsNew field hospital on Bang Na-Trat ready to accept Covid-19 patients

Published : August 09, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004409

Phuket Sandbox will survive, declares TAT chief

The Phuket Sandbox tourism scheme will not be affected by the recent murder of a Swiss tourist, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Yuthasak Supasorn told the press on Sunday.

The authorities have caught Teerawat Thothip, 27, an unemployed local, for killing a 57-year-old Swiss tourist at the Ton Ao Yon waterfall in Phuket’s Muang district on August 3.

The suspect was arrested on Saturday and has confessed to the crime, saying he intended to rob not kill the victim. He has been charged with robbery and causing death.

“TAT has been closely monitoring the impact the case may have on the sandbox scheme, which allows vaccinated foreigners to enter Phuket and travel freely in designated areas for 14 days without having to quarantine,” Yuthasak said. “We found that despite the murder, the reservation of hotel rooms in Phuket has not stopped. Hotels recorded 7,027 room nights reserved on August 5, 6,940 on August 6 and over 6,000 on August 7.

“TAT will also collect data from our branches worldwide about tourists’ confidence and emotional impact from the murder,” Yuthasak added. “We will formulate a plan to help reduce the impact and continue promoting the sandbox scheme.”

The Phuket Sandbox scheme was launched on July 1.

Meanwhile, at the Sunday press conference, Jan Dirk Kaethner, police attaché with the Swiss Embassy, thanked National Police chief Pol General Suwat Jangyodsuk and his team for solving the case swiftly. He was also grateful to Phuket authorities for taking steps to make the province safe for tourists again.

Also on Sunday, Phuket Tourism Association president Phummikit Raktaengam, on behalf of 16 tourism organisation, presented flowers and 200,000 baht in cash to the police. The group had announced earlier that they would pay a cash reward to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest of the murderer.

Published : August 09, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004408

New modular ICU at Bangkok hospital can treat 40 severe Covid cases

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) on Sunday opened a new modular ICU at Ratchaphiphat 1 Field Hospital in Bangkok to support another 40 red-coded patients — Covid-19 patients with severe symptoms.

Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang said after overseeing the preparations that the BMA had improved the field hospital’s first storey that was previously used to support yellow-coded patients — patients who are at risk of developing severe symptoms — into a modular ICU to support more red-coded patients.

He added that the modular ICU would start accepting patients from Sunday afternoon.

“So far, the field hospital has opened four modular ICUs but they are all occupied right now,” he said. “Medical staff from Ratchaphiphat and Thonburi Hospitals are responsible to treat patients here.”

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New modular ICU at Bangkok hospital can treat 40 severe Covid cases

He added that since the first one was opened at the field hospital on July 10, some 200 patients had been treated here, and more than 50 patients had returned home.

New modular ICU at Bangkok hospital can treat 40 severe Covid cases

“Ratchaphiphat 1 Field Hospital also has 160 beds to support Covid-19 patients — 80 for red-coded patients and 80 for yellow-coded patients,” he added.

New modular ICU at Bangkok hospital can treat 40 severe Covid casesNew modular ICU at Bangkok hospital can treat 40 severe Covid casesNew modular ICU at Bangkok hospital can treat 40 severe Covid cases

Published : August 09, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004403

Egg production adequate to cope with sudden surge in demand

The demand for eggs is currently about 10 per cent higher than in normal times, but the country’s total production capacity of 40-41 million pieces per day is enough to meet people’s demand, the Association of Hen-Egg Farmers, Traders and Exporters said on Sunday.

“People tend to buy more eggs during a lockdown and while working from home, while those who are in home isolation to monitor their symptoms often buy eggs in bulk for consumption,” association president Mongkol Pipatsattayanuwong said. “Furthermore, some organisations buy eggs in large numbers directly from the farms for donation as part of their humanitarian campaign. These factors have caused demand for eggs to rise and some markets are experiencing egg shortage for a brief period.”

“To ensure comprehensive distribution of eggs to all markets, the association has urged farmers to prioritise selling eggs to existing trade partners ahead of new buyers, which may include middlemen who aim to sell eggs at a higher price when eggs are still in high demand,” added Mongkol.

“Meanwhile, the association will monitor egg supply closely and make sure that there are enough eggs for consumers.”

Last week the Department of Livestock Development allowed egg farmers nationwide to extend the raising period for laying hens to meet domestic consumption and maintain egg price stability amid the Covid-19 lockdown. The move is expected to help increase egg production by at least 1 million per day in addition to the current production of 40 to 41 million eggs each day.

Published : August 09, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004401

More than 57,000 frontline medics given Pfizer booster shot

The Department of Disease Control said on Sunday that from August 4 to 7, more than 57,000 medical professionals who had previously got two jabs of Sinovac vaccine were given a dose of Pfizer vaccine to boost their immunity against Covid-19.

“The Ministry of Public Health has earmarked 700,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine from the total 1.5 million doses that have been donated by the United States,” DDC deputy chief Dr Sophon Iamsirithavorn said.

“A total of 446,000 doses has already been distributed to hospitals and field hospitals located in ‘dark red’ provinces, while the rest will be distributed soon,” he said.

“The reason we don’t distribute all at once is the vaccine must be used within 31 days of being taken out of the container, while some hospitals still have other vaccines in stock, which must be finished first,” he added.

The DDC reported no severe side-effects among over 57,000 recipients of the Pfizer vaccine other than muscle ache and low fever, although the United States’ CDC has recorded that the vaccine has caused myocarditis and pericarditis among recipients, which are treatable by cardiologists. The vaccine’s severe side-effects are often found among those under 30 years old and could show up within five days of vaccination.

According to Pfizer, severe side-effects were found in 1,226 recipients of the total 300 million doses provided, averaging 4 people per one million doses Male recipients are three times more likely to have side-effects than females. There has been no record of death linked to the vaccine.

Published : August 09, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004391

Thailand recorded 19,603 Covid-19 cases and 149 deaths on Monday

Ministry of Public Health reported on Monday (August 9) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 19,603 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 313 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 149, while 19,819 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country are at 776,108 with 6,353 total deaths.
 

Published : August 09, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004388

Thundershowers forecast for some parts of Thailand, heavy rains on South’s west coast

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Monday that the southwest monsoon prevails over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand.

Thundershowers continue over the western part of Thailand with isolated heavy rains on the west coast of the South.

People in these areas should beware of severe conditions that may cause flash floods, the department said.

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

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Thundershowers in 20 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees Celsius, highs of 34-37°C.

Northeast: Thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 24-27°C, highs of 35-37°C.

Central: Thundershowers in 20 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 25-26°C, highs of 35-37°C.

East: Thundershowers in 20 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 25-28°C, highs of 32-36°C; waves 1-2 metres high and over two metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-26°C, highs of 34-36°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 21-26°C, highs of 30-34°C; waves 1-2 metres high and over two metres during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Thundershowers in 20 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 26-27°C, highs of 35-37°C.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : August 09, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004379

Paper on Thai herbs effects in treating Covid withdrawn due to insufficient evidence

Dr Sant Chaiyodsilp, a heart surgeon and family medicine specialist, said the research team studying the use of the Thai herb Fah Talai Jon (Andrographis paniculata) for the treatment of Covid-19 needed to consider a larger sample before coming to conclusions.

On Saturday, the Thai research team who had conducted a randomised controlled trial and concluded that Andrographis paniculata could be used to treat Covid-19 and that it has a beneficial effect in reducing the incidence of pneumonia, withdrew their paper from the archives of the peer-valued journal, “medRxiv”, due to an error in calculating the significance of the difference.

The withdrawal of the paper from “medRxiv”, an Internet site distributing unpublished eprints about health sciences, was aimed at preventing the misuse of the research findings.

The study reported that 29 Andrographis paniculata users did not have pneumonia, while in the placebo group of 28, three had pneumonia.

Correct calculation showed that the effect of using Andrographis paniculata in reducing pneumonia was no different from using a placebo.

Sant said the research needed to be repeated with a larger sample because as long as the vaccine hasn’t arrived yet, this will still be a big issue.

Sant also said that the Center of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine, which is a part of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, is doing the same research and may release its work soon.

Published : August 08, 2021

By : The Nation