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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002943

Thailand’s caseload soars with 54 deaths, 6,519 new infections

Thailand recorded a new high with 6,519 cases and 54 deaths, bringing its total caseload to 301,172 infections and 2,387 deaths.

Of the new cases, 4,958 were tested in hospitals, 1,490 found through proactive testing, 55 tested positive in prisons and 16 came from overseas.

Bangkok led the list again with 1,549 cases, followed by Samut Prakan (548), Samut Sakhon (434), Nakhon Pathom (266), Chonburi (262), Chachoengsao (252), Prachuap Khiri Khan (241), Nonthaburi (235), Pathum Thani (212) and Pattani (190).

Meanwhile, 4,148 patients have recovered and been discharged in the last 24 hours.

Of the total 301,172 infections, 231,171 have recovered and been discharged, 67,614 are still in hospitals, and 2,387 have died.

Separately, another 223,268 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, while 46,385 people were given their second shot, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in Thailand to 11,328,043.

According to Worldometer, as of 11am on Wednesday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 185.38 million, 169.72 million of whom have recovered, 11.66 million are active cases (77,694 in severe condition) and 4 million have died (up by 7,997).

Thailand ranks 64th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 34.62 million, followed by India with 30.66 million, Brazil with 18.85 million, France with 5.79 million, and Russia 5.65 million.

Published : July 07, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002942

Phuket Sandbox gets its first Covid case

A United Arab Emirates national became the first person travelling under the Phuket Sandbox scheme to test positive for Covid-19.

Phuket authorities reported on Wednesday that he was one of the 2,113 people who have landed on the island since July 1. He tested positive upon arrival and was taken to a local hospital. The authorities did not reveal the traveller’s date of arrival but said others on the same flight were put under quarantine.

As per the sandbox scheme, tourists who can verify they are fully inoculated against Covid-19 and test negative can fly into Phuket and move around freely in the province without having to quarantine.

After 14 days in Phuket and if they still test negative, the tourists can then travel elsewhere in Thailand.

A similar scheme called the “Samui Plus Model” will be applied to Surat Thani’s three resort islands – Samui, Pha-ngan and Tao – which are set to open from July 15.

Published : July 07, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002940

Army dog Lohan in fine fettle despite bullet wound

Lohan, an Army dog who sustained injuries in a clash with insurgents in the deep South on Monday, is safe and doing well.

Apost on Facebook page “Thahan Langgongpan” (soldiers behind a battalion), said the one-year-four-month-old German shepherd sustained a bullet wound in his ear and two bruises on his body during the clash in Pattani’s Sai Buri district.

Soldiers gave him first aid before sending him to the 9th District Livestock Office in Songkhla for treatment on Tuesday. Veterinarians tending to the brave dog have said he will be completely healed within a week.

Published : July 07, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002939

Foreign Affairs Ministry cooperating with US agencies for urgent supply of vaccines

The Foreign Affairs Ministry is supporting the government in helping people get Covid-19 vaccines, including vaccines from the United States, as soon as possible, ministry spokesman Thanee Saengrat said on Wednesday.

He made the remark while clarifying to the press the government’s and Foreign Affairs Ministry’s roles in procuring Covid-19 vaccines from abroad.

He also confirmed the government is paying attention to vaccine procurement, which it considers an urgent issue.

“The ministry has been cooperating with US agencies on purchasing vaccines,” he revealed.

He added that the Foreign Affairs and Public Health ministries are currently under discussion with US agencies on preparations to receive the first batch of Covid-19 vaccines from the United States.

Published : July 07, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002936

4-5 barrels of chemical found at Samut Prakan factory to be disposed of safely

The Department of Industrial Works on Tuesday combed through the Ming Dih Chemical factory in Samut Prakan for any leftover hazardous substances after a fiery explosion ripped through the factory early on Monday.

Residents within a 5-kilometre radius of the factory on Soi King Kaew 21 in Rachathewa subdistrict were ordered to evacuate to avoid inhaling any harmful substances.

Firefighters were finally able to bring the flames under control on Tuesday morning after spending more than 26 hours battling the blaze.

“A preliminary investigation showed that all machines in the factory have been destroyed by the flames,” said Weerakit Ranthakitthanawat, the department’s deputy director-general.

“Some 4-5 barrels of chemical were found at the site, which we estimate could be Pentane.”

Weerakit said the chemical would be sent for proper disposal although its properties have probably evaporated by now due to exposure to the intense heat.

“Debris from the building and structures must also be disposed of according to the Hazardous Substance Act as they could be contaminated with hazardous chemicals,” he pointed out.

The department has ordered the factory to transport 1,600 tonnes of Styrene Monomer that it has in stock out of the area and dispose of them properly.

“Ming Dih Chemical is a category 3 factory [having machines greater than 75 horsepower or more than 75 employees], which is subject to risk evaluation every five years. We are investigating if the factory has been complying with this regulation,” Weerakit said.

The department also collected water samples from nearby canals to test if these contained any chemical residue.

As for air quality evaluation, the department has set up two testing stations – at Thanyathani Industrial Estate, located 2 kilometres upwind from the blast site, and at a warehouse about 1 km downwind.

The Thanyathani testing station found 0.42 ppm of Styrene and 0.55 ppm of Pentane in the air, while the other station found 0.83 ppm of Styrene and 0.81 ppm of Pentane.

According to the department’s standard of Styrene as an air contaminant, the organic compound at 20 ppm or lower will have no effect on people’s health. At 130 ppm it will have a non-severe health impact, but at 1,100 ppm there will be a severe health impact though not fatal.

Published : July 07, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002927

314kg of heroin hidden in paint buckets seized in Chonburi port just before being shipped to Australia

Officials from the Customs Department and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) seized 314 kilograms of heroin concealed in paint buckets in a shipping container at Laem Chabang Port, Chonburi. The heroin was earmarked to be shipped to Australia.

“Officials investigated a suspicious container truck at the port and found 135 buckets of acrylic paint on Monday. Inside each bucket there was a brown plastic package containing heroin weighing around 2.4 kg each,” Customs Department director-general Pachara Anantasilp revealed at a press conference on Tuesday.

314kg of heroin hidden in paint buckets seized in Chonburi port just before being shipped to Australia

“The total amount of heroin found was 314.63 kilograms with an estimated value of THB943 million. A shipping document indicated the buckets were to be shipped to Australia,” Pachara said.

“The department has contacted the Australia Embassy to find the recipient and will investigate the network behind this drug-smuggling operation,” he said.

314kg of heroin hidden in paint buckets seized in Chonburi port just before being shipped to Australia

“The department together with the ONCB and related agencies have seized more than 1.8 tonnes of heroin so far this year before they were shipped to foreign destinations,” Pachara added.

Published : July 07, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002925

Chula doctor in critical condition after being stabbed by psychiatric patient

A female psychiatric patient stabbed a female doctor in the chest with a knife at Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok’s Pathum Wan district on Tuesday afternoon, critically wounding the physician.

Pathum Wan Station Police rushed to the scene after being alerted to the incident and detained the 24-year-old female patient, who had been admitted to the psychiatric clinic for treatment.

Dr Athicha Watthana-udomchai, who was allegedly stabbed with a paring knife in the upper chest near the throat, was rushed to surgery as she lost a lot of blood.

The patient was detained until she calmed down, before the hospital transferred her to Somdet Chaopraya Psychiatric Hospital for further treatment.

A hospital worker revealed that the patient’s family had admitted her at the hospital due to stress from studying. The patient was said to have stabbed the doctor with the knife used for peeling fruit while she was being examined.

Athicha’s doctor reportedly said she is still in critical condition and urged those who have Rh+ B type blood to urgently donate the blood at the hospital or at the Thai Red Cross Society.

Published : July 07, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002921

More rains forecast across country with isolated heavy showers in some areas

Expect more rains with isolated heavy to very heavy showers in the North, the Northeast, the East and the South’s west coast as a monsoon trough lies across the upper North and upper Northeast, while the southwest monsoon which prevails over the country, the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand is stronger, the Meteorological Department said on Wednesday.

The department also mentioned that the active low-pressure cell over the upper South China Sea is expected to move into Vietnam from July 7-19 and in turn head over to Thailand’s North and Northeast, ushering in more rains.

Here’s the weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the area with isolated heavy rains and gusty winds; temperature lows of 22-25 degrees and highs of 30-35 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the area with isolated heavy rains and gusty winds; temperature lows of 22-25 degrees and highs of 30-36 degrees Celsius.

Central: Hot day with thundershowers in 60 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 24-26 degrees, highs of 35-37 degrees Celsius.

East: Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the area with isolated heavy to very heavy rains and gusty winds; temperature lows of 22-26 degrees, highs of 28-35 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 24-26 degrees, highs of 32-36 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 80 per cent of the area with isolated heavy to very heavy rains; temperature lows of 21-26 degrees, highs of 28-30 degrees Celsius; waves 1-2 metres high and over 2 metres during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 26-27 degrees, highs of 33-36 degrees Celsius.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : July 07, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002910

Pharmacy Council urges cap on AZ vaccine exports as virus deaths rise

The Pharmacy Council has called on the health minister and National Vaccine Committee to temporarily limit export of AstraZeneca vaccine by local producer Siam Bioscience, as infections and fatalities mount in Thailand.

AstraZeneca has contracted Siam Bioscience to produce 200 million doses per year for the region, but deliveries have already been delayed.

Pharmacy Council president Jiraporn Limpananon on Tuesday issued a statement urging the government to tackle the outbreak with clear policies on two major issues.

The first issue is the mortality rate of 50-60 deaths per day or 1,500-1,800 per month, centred on Bangkok and the South. If that number increases in the next few months, the health system could collapse, the council warned.

The government must urgently deploy all available vaccine to protect the elderly and people with underlying health conditions, whose Covid-19 mortality rate is 10 per cent, it added. Currently, only 2 million of the 17.5 million people in this group have been vaccinated as vaccine supplies are limited, it said. The council urged the government to stop using multiple strategies aimed at economic benefits and instead focus on reducing the mortality rate to ensure the health service does not collapse.

The second issue raised by the council was vaccine procurement. It urged the Public Health Ministry and the National Vaccine Committee to cap exports of AstraZeneca vaccine from the Siam Bioscience factory in order to fight the outbreak in Thailand. The committee is set to meet on July 14.

AstraZeneca has contracted Siam Bioscience to produce up to 200 million doses per year as its Southeast Asian production hub. It has also pledged to deliver 61 million doses for Thailand this year.

Published : July 06, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002908

Pfizer booster shots approved for health workers after outcry

The National Vaccine Committee on Tuesday approved Pfizer booster shots for front-line health workers, despite earlier advice from a senior official that the move would be “admitting that the Sinovac vaccine is not effective”. The leaked advice prompted an uproar from netizens, who demanded that medics be given the jabs.

Most health workers have been inoculated with the Chinese Sinovac vaccine, but concerns exist over its efficacy against the Delta variant that is driving Thailand’s current outbreak.

Health workers should be first in line for booster shots with AstraZeneca​ or the 1.5 million Pfizer jabs just donated by the US, said Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) adviser Udom Kachintorn.

Reporting results from a National Vaccine Committee meeting on Tuesday, Udom explained that other countries and the World Health Organisation had yet to establish guidelines on mixing and matching vaccines.

However, Thailand must take urgent action to tackle the fast-spreading Delta variant, which now accounts for 50 per cent of cases in Bangkok and 30 per cent elsewhere, he said.

If officials let the situation continue like this, the health system would collapse, he added.

He also noted that both Pfizer and AstraZeneca are due to produce new vaccines to combat virus variants by year-end or early next year.

Udom confirmed that existing vaccines are less effective against variants. He cited a UK study that showed Pfizer offers 7.5 times less protection against Beta and 2.5 times less against Delta, while AstraZeneca offers 9 times less protection against Beta and 4.3 times less against Delta.

As for Sinovac, a study by NSTDA in collaboration with Chulalongkorn Research Centre found that it offers 4.9 times less protection against Delta. Pfizer’s mRNA vaccine offered the best immunity against variants, followed by AstraZeneca and Sinovac.

A study to determine the best brand for booster shots is being conducted by Siriraj Hospital and Chulalongkorn University, with results expected within a month.

The 20 million doses of Pfizer also procured by Thailand will be used to protect the at-risk group of people aged 60-plus and those with chronic conditions, added Udom.

Published : July 06, 2021

By : The Nation