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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003142

Bangkok construction workers suffer ‘double-variant’ infection

Seven construction workers in Bangkok have been simultaneously infected with two variants of Covid-19, health authorities reported on Monday.

The seven workers tested positive for both the Alpha and the Delta variants of the virus, according to the Public Health Ministry at a Monday briefing.

Tests at their construction camp on 1,737 workers confirmed 1,327 infections – almost three-quarters (73.7 per cent) with Delta and the rest with the Alpha variant.

The ministry is concerned that cases of mixed infection could eventually spawn a new coronavirus variant.

It reported that Delta is now the dominant strain in Bangkok, accounting for 57.1 per cent of new infections.

Published : July 12, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003139

Rapid antigen test kits to be available soon, promises Anutin

The national committee on communicable disease supports the use of rapid antigen test kits in the 300 state hospitals, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who chairs the panel, said on Monday.

He added that this will cut down queues for the more accurate RT-PCR test, but the kits can only be distributed once the Thai Food and Drug Administration gives it a stamp of approval.

Anutin added that the aim is to eventually make the antigen test kits widely available, so people can use them at home.

Separately, the committee has also decided that recipients of the first Sinovac jab can get AstraZeneca for their second shot as it will be more effective against the new mutants.

“The time period between doses is around three or four weeks and hospitals can from now on follow this practice,” he added.

The committee has also decided that frontline medics should get a third dose of the vaccine for boosting their immunity. The third dose will mostly be the AstraZeneca vaccine, Anutin added.

Published : July 12, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003138

Well-loved Samut Sakhon doctor loses his battle against Covid-19

On Monday, Facebook user Ratirat Rotthong wrote about the death of Dr Phicheat Sahakij, who worked at Suang Luang Hospital in Samut Sakhon’s Krathum Baen district.

“Phicheat or Dr Neung died from Covid-19 on July 10,” she said. “He was among the frontline medics who helped treat patients in Samut Sakhon when the latest outbreak first emerged.”

She also pointed out that the doctor had received two doses of the Sinovac vaccine along with other frontline medical personnel.

Ratirat’s post attracted more than 1,000 comments, including condolences and praise for the bravery of frontline medics who risk their lives in the battle against the virus.

Samut Sakhon governor Weerasak Wichitsaensri also said in a Facebook post on Sunday that he had attended the doctor’s funeral and that Dr Neung will be missed by all.

“The Covid-19 situation in the province is still critical, but we will never give up,” he said. “The province is building more field hospitals and community isolation centres to curb infections.”

Samut Sakhon reported 591 new infections on Monday, coming in second after Bangkok. Since April 1, when the third wave was sparked in Bangkok’s high-end entertainment district, Samut Sakhon has reported 13,209 cases.

On Sunday, the Department of Disease Control reported that 880 medics have contracted Covid-19 and seven have died despite being inoculated against the disease.

Published : July 12, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003137

GPO rejects claims Moderna vaccine price is inflated with 88% VAT

The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) has refuted allegations that it is inflating the price of Moderna vaccine in Thailand.

Claims that Moderna’s mRNA vaccine is being imported for 584 baht per dose are not true, the GPO said on Monday.

However, the agency said it was prohibited from revealing the US vaccines’ import price under the agreement with the distributor, Zuellig Pharma.

“According to BioSpace website, the price of Moderna vaccine is US$25-$37 [815 baht-1,206 baht] per dose based on conditions and quantity of each purchase,” the GPO announcement read. BioSpace is a US science-industry news and information source.

The GPO also refuted netizens’ accusations that it is collecting 88 per cent value-added tax (VAT) on Moderna doses.

“The price at which Moderna is being offered to private hospitals – 1,100 baht per dose – consists of the vaccine price plus VAT and other expenses, such as storage, transportation and insurance fees,” the announcement read.

Private hospitals are offering two shots of Moderna for 3,800 baht.

The GPO insisted it was performing its duties as a state enterprise to procure vaccines and other medical supplies to help the country overcome the Covid-19 crisis.

Published : July 12, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003136

Covid rips through Royal Thai Airforce base in Bangkok

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) says 290 of its personnel have tested positive for Covid-19 at its Don Mueang airbase in Bangkok.

The cases were detected during tests on 718 officers conducted from July 9-11, RTAF spokesperson Thanat Chanampai said on Monday.

Of those who tested positive, 199 are being treated at isolation buildings on the Don Mueang base, 52 at the RTAF field hospital in Don Mueang district, and 39 at the RTAF field hospital in Bangkok Aviation Centre.

“Officers infected with Covid-19 are being treated by Air Force medical staff. If any develop severe symptoms, they will be sent to Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital,” said the spokesman.

Covid rips through Royal Thai Airforce base in Bangkok

None of those infected would be allowed to return home, he added.

“The RTAF is monitoring the situation closely to make sure that Covid-19 does not spread to areas outside the base,” he said.

Published : July 12, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003134

More than 8,600 Covid cases and 80 deaths reported today

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration on Monday reported 8,656 new cases and 80 deaths over a 24-hour period.

Of the total, 6,044 were locals who tested positive when they went to hospitals for a check-up, 2,515 were found during proactive testing, 73 infections were found in prisons, and 24 were travellers from abroad.

Bangkok led the list of most cases with 2,399, followed by Samut Sakhon (591), Samut Prakan (405), Chonburi (399), Pathum Thani (397), Nakhon Pathom (315) and Nonthaburi (313).

Meanwhile, 3,687 patients have recovered and been discharged in the last 24 hours.

Of the total 345,027 cases so far, 251,658 have recovered and been discharged, 50,578 patients are still in hospitals, and 2,791 have died.

According to Worldometer, as of 11am on Monday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 187.63 million, 171.58 million of whom have recovered, 11.98 million are active cases (78,292 in severe condition) and 4.04 million have died (up by 6,324).

Thailand ranks 60th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 34.73 million, followed by India 30.87 million, Brazil 19.08 million, France 5.81 million, and Russia 5.78 million.

Meanwhile, another 87,809 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, while 12,216 people were given their second shot, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in Thailand to 12,569,213.

Published : July 12, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003133

3 more foreign tourists test positive in Phuket

Three more tourists visiting Phuket under the “sandbox” scheme have tested positive for Covid-19.

The confirmed cases are a Myanmar national, 45, an African (no country specified), 28, and a Swiss, 13, officials reported on Sunday.

The Myanmar national is the mother of a child who was detected with Covid earlier on Sunday.

Kusak Kukiatkul, Phuket’s public health chief, said that friends and family members who travelled with the infected individuals are now under quarantine.

The Phuket Sandbox scheme was launched on July 1 to draw foreign travellers back to Thailand. Foreign tourists entering Phuket must be fully inoculated and test negative for Covid-19. They are not required to undergo quarantine and can move around the island freely.

A total of 3,917 foreign tourists entered Phuket in the first 10 days of the sandbox scheme.

As of Sunday, six had tested positive for Covid-19 – three from Myanmar, and one each from the United Arab Emirates, Africa, and Switzerland.

Published : July 12, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003131

PM presides over event for receiving vaccine donated by Japan

Thailand on Monday officially received more than a million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine donated by the Japanese government.

An event was held at Government House to receive the consignment. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who is in quarantine took part via video conference.

The 1.05 million doses of AstraZeneca arrived in Thailand on Friday.

PM presides over event for receiving vaccine donated by Japan

Published : July 12, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003130

Huge turnout for free Covid testing in Pathum Thani

Several citizens were waiting for free rapid antigen tests at the Covid-19 testing station near Thupatemee Stadium in Pathum Thani province on Monday morning.

Tests were being conducted in Lam Luk Ka district by the National Health Security Office (NHSO) with cooperation with the Urban Institute for Disease Prevention and Control and Mahidol University’s Faculty of Medical Technology.

According to media reports, people were waiting at the stadium since 8pm on Sunday.

Testing stations have been set up at three locations, namely Thupatemee Stadium, Rajamangala National Stadium and Government Centre Building B.

The fourth testing station at Air Defense Artillery Division’s football stadium will be opened on July 14.

Huge turnout for free Covid testing in Pathum Thani

Once the fourth testing station opens, the NHSO can conduct Covid-19 tests on 10,000 people per day, reports said.

Huge turnout for free Covid testing in Pathum Thani

Huge turnout for free Covid testing in Pathum Thani

Huge turnout for free Covid testing in Pathum Thani

Huge turnout for free Covid testing in Pathum Thani

Published : July 12, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003129

Samut Sakhon beauty pageant organiser, participants face action

Police will summon the organiser and participants of the Miss Grand Samut Sakhon beauty pageant for violation of the emergency decree and the Communicable Disease Act after the event led to 62 cluster infections, Metropolitan Police spokesman Pol Maj-General Piya Tawichai said on Sunday.

The pageant was held on June 26-27 at Mirinn Theatre in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district. After the event, 13 contestants and 49 staffers were reportedly infected. Many people at the event were seen not wearing face masks.

The Huai Kwang district chief filed a police complaint on July 9, as the organiser and participants of the event had violated the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s order on mandatory wearing of face mask in public places.

In a comment posted on the “See True” Facebook page on July 8, a contestant said participants were instructed to take off their masks and do activities without adhering to social-distancing principles.

She added that she could not pull out because she did not have funds to cover the THB60,000 penalty.

Published : July 12, 2021

By : THE NATION