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382 new Covid-19 cases found, most of them linked to Samut Sakhon outbreak (nationthailand.com)

382 new Covid-19 cases found, most of them linked to Samut Sakhon outbreak

NationalDec 21. 2020

By The Nation

There were 382 new Covid-19 cases following active testing of migrant workers in Samut Sakhon province, and in quarantine facilities, over a 24-hour period, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) reported on Monday.

Most of the cases (360) were migrant workers in Samut Sakhon, there were 14 domestic cases in Ayutthaya, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Prakan, Bangkok and Tak provinces, while seven Thais and a foreigner tested positive in quarantine.

The new cases in quarantine facilities included one Thai, who had returned from the United Kingdom, three from the United States, one from United Arab Emirates, one from Ukraine, one from Kuwait, and a Sudanedese woman had travelled from her country.

Most of the domestic cases reported on Monday were linked to the Samut Sakhon outbreak in a shrimp market, except an asymptomatic beautician, 29, in Ayutthaya and a Myanmar cashier, 42, in Mae Sot district of Tak province.

Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, the spokesperson for the CCSA, revealed that more than 2,600 people were awaiting results of their tests and many more were waiting to be tested. A field hospital will be opened in Samut Sakhon with 100 beds for patients with severe symptoms to facilitate and treat workers, including providing food and necessities. The idea was inspired by Singapore which faced rising number of cases involving migrant workers.

A health officer reportedly said more than a thousand customers of the seafood markets in Samut Sakhon were to be tested.

He also asked for cooperation from Myanmar to tell their people to take a virus test for free and remain confined in specific areas to stop the spread of the virus.

Meanwhile, 12 patients have recovered and been discharged.

The total number of confirmed cases in Thailand increased to 5,289 (1,373 in state quarantine), 1,176 are undergoing treatment in hospitals, 4,053 have recovered and been discharged and 60 have died.

According to Worldometer, as of 10am on Monday, the total number of confirmed cases had increased to 77.14 million (up by 532,471), 55 million have recovered, 21.38 million are active cases (106,202 in severe condition) and 1.7 million have died (up by 7,832).

Thailand ranks 150th for most cases in the world, while the US has the most number with 18.26 million, followed by India 10.05 million, Brazil 7.24 million, Russia 2.85 million and France 2.47 million.

Dr Taweesin said that a meeting between officers from the Public Health Ministry and the prime minister on Monday morning discussed new criteria for ordering of lockdowns for provincial governors to use when required.

Dr Vicharn Pawan, a specialist at the Disease Control Department, reported at the CCSA daily conference on the lastest situation in Samut Sakhon where the Central Shrimp Market and nearby areas have emerged as the source of the outbreak.

So far 821 positive cases have been found with links to Samut Sakhon. In other provinces, there are three cases in Samut Prakan, three in Saraburi, two in Bangkok and two in Nakhon Pathom (2).

Of the total, 788 active cases have been found in the Myanmar community and nearby areas. The operation has tested 4,688 people both Thais and foreigners and results have been available of 1,861.

There were 33 more cases of patients who had travelled to the market and had close contact with recently reported cases. This group went to hospitals on their own to be tested.

He urged people who had visited the Central Shrimp Market or risk areas in Samut Sakhon since December 1 to take a test for free or call DDC 1422 for advice.

He urged people to stay vigilant and not panic due to the high numbers. He said Thailand’s health response systems are doing their jobs well.

Related stories:

Bangkok announces 10 measures to control Covid-19 transmission

Migrant workers not allowed to move out of high-risk areas

SET tumbles as market reacts to surge in Covid-19 cases

Thailand Post implements strict measures to curb infections

Bus company employs strict measures to contain infections

Food delivery service braces for lockdown in Samut Sakhon

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Bangkok announces 10 measures to control Covid-19 transmission (nationthailand.com)

Bangkok announces 10 measures to control Covid-19 transmission

NationalDec 21. 2020

Bangkok governor Asawin Kwanmuang

By The Nation

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has announced 10 measures to curb the transmission of Covid-19 and has launched a proactive hunt for migrant workers who may be infected. BMA has also closed three schools that are on the border of Samut Sakhon province.

The new measures ordered by Bangkok governor Asawin Kwanmuang are:

• All schools and preschools in areas close to Samut Sakhon, such as Bang Khunthien, Bang Bon and Nong Khaem districts will be closed for 14 days (December 21 to January 4) with classes being held online.

• Government officials or BMA personnel who commute from Samut Sakhon will need to isolate themselves and work from home.

• No gatherings are allowed for the New Year celebration. If events need to be held, organisers must submit a disease control plan to obtain permission from the BMA health department.

• Screening checkpoints have been set up on Petchkasem, Rama II, Borommaratchachonnani and Liap Khlong Phitthayalongkon roads to monitor migrant workers entering Bangkok.

• Parks can be used for exercise, but not gatherings.

• All migrant workers at construction sites will be screened for Covid-19.

• All 472 fresh markets in Bangkok will be checked for active Covid-19 cases, with a special focus on delivery personnel and middlemen dealing with seafood from Samut Sakhon province.

• Places of worship and religious locations in Bangkok have been asked to refrain from activities until the situation is resolved.

• Schools will help search for parents who are migrant workers to undergo tests for the virus.

• Entertainment establishments, restaurants, hotels, shopping malls as well as pubs and karaoke bars need to strictly screen clients, ensure masks are worn, tables kept apart, customers refrain from dancing and the areas are cleaned regularly according to the Public Health Ministry’s guidelines.

Everybody is required to wear a mask in public as well as track their movements using the Thai Chana application so it will be easier for health officers to detect and investigate cases in case an infection is detected in the area.

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BMA tightens scrutiny on routes linking Samut Sakhon and Bangkok (nationthailand.com)

BMA tightens scrutiny on routes linking Samut Sakhon and Bangkok

NationalDec 21. 2020

By The Nation

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has set up Covid-19 screening checkpoints on routes leading to Samut Sakhon province to contain the spread of the virus.

At a checkpoint in front of Southeast Asia University on Petchakasem Road on Monday, Bangkok police chief Pol Lt-General Pakapong Phongpetra said that BMA officials would check the body temperature of all passengers on buses entering the capital.

“Meanwhile, police officers would strictly check the movement of migrant workers to prevent them from sneaking between districts,” he said.

He added that officials had also set up Covid-19 screening checkpoints in front of PTT petrol station on Rama II Road, under the bridge on Phutthamonthon Sai 3 intersection and in front of Khlong Pittaya Longkorn School on Bang Khun Thian-Chai Thale Road.

“The BMA will launch more measures to support officials’ operations,” he added.

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Two of three infected family members had visited Samut Sakhon seafood market (nationthailand.com)

Two of three infected family members had visited Samut Sakhon seafood market

NationalDec 21. 2020

By THE NATION

An investigation recently pointed out that two of three new Covid-19 patients in Saraburi province had visited a seafood market in Samut Sakhon province.

The patients included a man, his wife and their daughter. They were found infected at Saraburi Hospital on Sunday evening.

The father and daughter travelled from their hometown and reached Samut Sakhon’s Talay Thai seafood market at 11.30pm on December 14, according to the officially revealed timeline.

They visited the market to purchase seafood products in order to sell in their buffet restaurants. The father and daughter returned home on December 15 at 4am.

On December 16, the mother visited a private hospital in Saraburi as she was ill.

The father and daughter travelled from Saraburi to Talay Thai market again, and reached the place at around 10am They returned home at 4am on December 17.

At 8am that day, the wife visited a pork stall in a fresh market in Saraburi’s Muang district. She went to a branch of their buffet restaurants later in an evening.

On the same day, the daughter and father were slightly ill. They visited local clinics at 5pm and 6pm, respectively.

On December 18, the woman visited a pork stall again, while the man went to Pathum Thani province, to shop at a flea market in Nong Sua district. The daughter stayed at home.

On December 19, the three persons were at home recovering. They decided to visit Saraburi Hospital next day, as their health did not improve.

High-risk persons from these cases consisted of the couple’s son, who lived in the same house, and 21 customers of the buffet restaurant.

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Upsurge in Covid-19 cases in Thailand could weaken baht (nationthailand.com)

Upsurge in Covid-19 cases in Thailand could weaken baht

NationalDec 21. 2020

By THE NATION

The baht opened at 29.92 to the US dollar on Monday, weakening from 29.82 at close on Friday.

The Thai currency is likely to move between 29.85 and 30.05 on Monday and between 29.75 to 30.25 this week, said Jitipol Puksamatanan, senior director of the chief investment office at SCB Securities.

Jitipol said the baht could weaken to Bt30 per US dollar, from the new Covid-19 cases in Thailand. However, investors’ view of the virus situation was more positive than before, as we were approaching soon the new year and a vaccine was likely to be available soon.

This week, the markets were saturated with news on the Covid-19 situation, as well as lockdowns across the world. However, the coronavirus has not pushed the VIX index to increase from its present level of 21.57 points.

Jitipol advised investors to monitor the meeting of the Thai central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee on Wednesday. He added that the committee would possibly maintain the interest rate at 0.50 per cent.

He added that the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index in the US was another data to be monitored. If the index falls below 97 points due to the market’s concerns about Covid-19, the dollar would possibly recover in the short term.

In the financial markets, trade was run on the assumption of the dollar tending to weaken and US fiscal policy being relaxed. The price of Bitcoin soared to over $23,000 (Bt690,011) per bitcoin, while the US Ten-Year Treasury yield rose to 0.95 per cent.

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Myanmar woman tests positive for Covid-19 in Mae Sot (nationthailand.com)

Myanmar woman tests positive for Covid-19 in Mae Sot

NationalDec 21. 2020

By THE NATION

A new Covid-19 patient was found in the Mae Sot district of Tak province.

The patient was identified as a Myanmar woman who worked at a supermarket.

On Sunday evening, officials from Mae Sot Hospital had checked a supermarket on Prasatwithi Road. One of the supermarket’s staffs was found infected with Covid-19. People at risk related to this patient were checked and required to quarantine.

The report said that the infected woman had touched several customers. She was also a store checker and cash receiver. The patient is currently receiving treatment in Mae Sot Hospital.

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Upper Thailand gets cooler with strong winds, isolated heavy rains forecast for South (nationthailand.com)

Upper Thailand gets cooler with strong winds, isolated heavy rains forecast for South

NationalDec 21. 2020

By THE NATION

Another strong high-pressure system from China covers upper Thailand, bringing temperatures down by 1-3 degrees Celsius with cool to cold weather and strong winds, the Thailand Meteorological Department said on Monday.

The mountaintops remain cold to very cold. People should take care of their health due to the variable weather, the department said.

A strong northeast monsoon prevails over the Gulf and the South. Isolated heavy rain is forecast in the lower South. People in the South should beware of the severe conditions, the department said. Strong winds and waves are likely in the upper Gulf, rising about two metres, 2-3 metres in the lower Gulf and above three metres during thundershowers.

All ships should proceed with caution and small boats in the Gulf should stay ashore until December 23, the department said. Tropical storm “Krovanh” over the middle South China Sea is expected to downgrade on December 23-24.

The forecast for the next 24 hours:

Bangkok Metropolis and its vicinity: Cool with strong winds and a 1-2 degrees Celsius drop in temperature; minimum temperature 18-20°C, maximum 28-30°C; northeasterly winds 10-30 kilometres per hour (kph).

North: Cool to cold and 2-3°C drop in temperature; minimum temperature 13-17°C, maximum 24-32°C; Cold to very cold on mountaintops and frost in some places with minimum temperature 3-14°C; northeasterly winds 10-20kph.
Northeast: Cool to cold with strong winds and 1-3°C drop in temperature; minimum temperature 10-14°C, maximum 24-26°C; cold on the mountaintop with minimum temperature 8-12°C; northeasterly winds 10-30kph.

Central: Cool with strong winds and 1-2°C drop in temperature; minimum temperature 17-18°C, maximum 27-31°C; northeasterly winds 10-30kph.

East: Cool with strong winds and 1-2°C drop in temperature; minimum temperature 16-21°C, maximum 30-33°C; northeasterly winds 20-35kph; waves about two metres high.

South (east coast): Cloudy with scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rain; minimum temperature 19-24°C, maximum 28-32°C.

Surat Thani northwards: Northeasterly winds 20-35kph; waves about two metres high and above two metres during thundershowers.

Nakhon Si Thammarat southwards: Northeasterly winds 20-40kph; waves 2-3 metres high and above three metres in thundershowers.

South (west coast): Cloudy with isolated thundershowers; minimum temperature 22-24°C, maximum 27-31°C; northeasterly winds 20-35kph; waves about two metres high and above two metres offshore.

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Total infections in Samut Sakhon Covid-19 outbreak hit 689 (nationthailand.com)

Total infections in Samut Sakhon Covid-19 outbreak hit 689

NationalDec 21. 2020

By The Nation

The number of people infected after the latest Covid-19 outbreak in Samut Sakhon province has risen to 689.

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) on Sunday assuaged public fears by laying out its plan of action to contain and tackle the spread.

The first patient of this outbreak was a Thai woman who has never gone out of the country, meaning the source of the virus must have come from others, a DDC official said.

As of Sunday evening, 689 patients were found linked to the shrimp market in Samut Sakhon. Most of them were migrant workers in the market. The latest information found nine patients in other provinces — Bangkok (2), Nakhon Pathom (2), Samut Prakan (3), Suphanburi and Ratchaburi one each — Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the DDC, said.

Thousands of Burmese workers Including some Thai people waiting in line for COVID-19 screening Inside the Thai Union Market, Samut Sakhon Province.

Patients in other provinces were customers of the shrimp market, which provincial health officers are now investigating for close contact.

The outbreak area has been identified in Mahachai subdistrict (532 patients found), followed by Tha chin (7), Nawadee (4), and Bangtorad (1), while there are no patients in other subdistricts.

A map shows the density of patients found in Samut Sakhon from Mahachai (red), Tha Chin (dark orange), Nawadee (orange), and Bangtorad (dark yellow)

Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit said that the ministry would take around 2-4 weeks to control the situation with an active plan. The provincial government office has ordered a lockdown in the risky areas, not letting people in and out. Food and necessities will be delivered to quarantined people to reduce the risk of the infection spreading, he said.

The first phase tested 10,000 people. If the infected people are found to be highly infectious, the measures for proactive search will be increased to 30,000-40,000 people and cover more areas.

Police officers enclosed barbed wire around the shrimp market in Samut Sakhon province as a territory for COVID-19 quarantine while proactive screening continues.

Health officials expect 10-20 more customers of the market to be infected, so they have urged everyone to get the virus test. Many people who have doubts after visiting the risky areas have shown up, which is a good sign for the virus plan, Dr Kiattiphum said.

He has ensured their readiness with 500,000 pills ready to treat 8,000 people, 46 million masks reserved and 4 million pieces can be produced per day, 3 million pieces of N95 masks, 2 million PPE sets.

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Online business matching generates over Bt14 billion trade amid Covid-19 (nationthailand.com)

Online business matching generates over Bt14 billion trade amid Covid-19

NationalDec 21. 2020

By THE NATION

The Department of International Trade Promotion revealed last week that its online business matching (OBM) generated over Bt14.45 billion in trade value during the Covid-19 months — April to November.

Director-general Somdet Susomboon said that total online matching during the eight months was 84 times, with 485 exporters and 352 importers taking part.

The total trade of Bt14.45 billion was mainly from agricultural products (Bt9.265 billion), auto parts (Bt3.025 billion), processed food (Bt1.075 billion) and others (Bt1.088 billion), Somdet said.

The region with top trade value was Asia (Bt8.436 billion), followed by North and South America (Bt4.068 billion), Africa (Bt1.226 billion), Europe (Bt497.72 million) and the Middle East (Bt226.1 million).

The director-general said that the OBM would continue until September 2021, as the world is still in the grip of a Covid-19 crisis. The category of products to be matched will cover food and drinks, rubber, medical tools, auto parts, jewellery, home decoration and pet products.

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Bangkok asks for cooperation to refrain from all New Year activities (nationthailand.com)

Bangkok asks for cooperation to refrain from all New Year activities

NationalDec 21. 2020

By The Nation

The governor of Bangkok, General Asawin Kwanmuang, along with his deputy Lt-General Sophon Phisutthiwong, called an urgent meeting of relevant agencies, such as the Department of Disease Control, the Ministry of Interior and hospital directors in Bangkok to assess the situation amid the risk of the Covid-19 virus spreading after the outbreak in Samut Sakhon province and nearby areas.

Pongsakorn Kwanmuang, a spokesman for the city administration, said the meeting was called as Bangkok is a neighbouring province of Samut Sakhon and is vulnerable to the epidemic spreading.

Two persons who have been found to be infected in Bangkok had travelled to the affected area. Therefore, Bangkok will have a proactive investigation, especially in 472 markets, including construction sites and the places where the goods were picked up from Samut Sakhon province.

The committees of the Communicable Diseases Committee emphasised three main locations to prevent an outbreak:

1. Entertainment establishments, pubs, bars, entertainment venues and establishments similar to entertainment venues will see more stringent preventive measures by prohibiting dancing or gathering of crowds. Table must not be less than 1.5 metres apart.

2. Boxing stadium, which had seen an outbreak months ago, must be strict about people wearing masks and implement preventive measures, including limiting the number of visitors.

3. Markets must emphasise on 100 per cent wearing of masks.

Meanwhile, people can visit public parks and temples wearing a mask.

The Bangkok administration has asked for cooperation from every sector to refrain from New Year activities. If they want the event to be organised, permission must be requested by applying to the Bangkok Health Office with a strict disease control plan.

Bangkok has coordinated with schools in three districts, which are in the boundary area of ​​Samut Sakhon province, namely Bang Khun Thian, Bang Bon, and Nong Khaem, to be closed for 14 days, from December 21 to January 4. The schools must have a study plan and online teaching arrangements. As for schools in other areas, if it is deemed appropriate to close, the decision can be made by the school administrator to reduce the risk of further transmission.