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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000404

Chuan appeals to people to wear face mask, as he takes supplies to the South

Parliament president Chuan Leekpai delivered 5,000 face masks to Narathiwat Governor Jessada Jitrat at the provinces city hall on Thursday. The face masks will be handed out to medical staff and citizens in the province in a bid to contain Covid-19.

Chuan said the move was in line with the government’s decision to make it compulsory for people in all 77 provinces to wear face masks when leaving their residences, among several other measures effective from May 1.

Chuan appeals to people to wear face mask, as he takes supplies to the South

“I would like to ask people to wear a face mask to prevent the spread of the virus, as the majority of doctors have confirmed that face masks can prevent the spread up to 90 per cent,” he said.

He added that he would deliver face masks to people in Pattani, Yala and 11 other provinces in the South.

Chuan appeals to people to wear face mask, as he takes supplies to the South

Meanwhile Jessada said that the number of confirmed cases in Narathiwat on Thursday was 512. Of these, 82 were being treated at hospitals or field hospitals, 429 had recovered and been discharged and one had died.

Narathiwat has implemented measures to contain the spread of Covid-19, such as temporary closure of entertainment venues, restrictions on public gatherings and imposing punishment on people who do not wear face mask in public.

Published : April 30, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000403

Another 15 deaths, 1,583 new Covid cases recorded in Thailand

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Friday reported 1,583 new cases and 15 deaths. The fatalities included nine in Bangkok, and one each in Chonburi, Phattalung, Surat Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Friday reported 1,583 new cases and 15 deaths.

The fatalities included nine in Bangkok, and one each in Chonburi, Phattalung, Surat Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The ages of those who succumbed to the virus ranged between 29 and 93, and all of them reportedly suffered from chronic conditions.

Bangkok again led the list of most cases with 417, followed by 138 in Samut Prakan and 131 in Chonburi.

The list also included four foreign arrivals, including one Thai from South Sudan, one Japanese from Malaysia and an Indian and Pakistani from their own countries.

Meanwhile, 860 patients have recovered and been discharged in the last 24 hours.

As of Friday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 65,153. Of these, 61,845 had been contracted locally, including 22,087 who were found via proactive testing, while 3,308 were returnees.

So far, 36,254 have recovered and been discharged, 28,696 patients are still in hospitals, and 203 have died.

Since April 1, 109 people have succumbed to the virus. Thailand’s third wave of Covid-19 infections was sparked by some cluster cases in mid-March.

According to Worldometer, as of 11am on Friday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 151.11 million (up by 891,337), 128.51 million of whom have recovered, 19.43 million are active cases (111,735 in severe condition) and 3.17 million have died (up by 15,124).

Thailand ranks 104th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 33.04 million, followed by India 18.75 million, Brazil 14.52 million, France 5.59 million, and Russia 4.79 million.

Separately, another 16,035 people were given their first Covid shot in the last 24 hours, while 50,933 people were given their second shot, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccines administered in Thailand to 1,44,614.

Published : April 30, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000402

Part of Bangkok’s National Stadium devoted to Covid patients

The Sports Authority of Thailand has turned the Nimitbut building in Bangkok’s National Stadium complex into a pre-admission centre for Covid-19 patients. The 171-bed centre was set up on Thursday to tackle the rising number of patients.

The centre meets all requirements set by the Public Health Ministry, ranging from medical service and environment to electrical systems and transport accessibility.

This centre will also be used as a vaccination venue once new cases start dropping.

Part of Bangkok’s National Stadium devoted to Covid patients

Published : April 30, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000401

Stimulus schemes expected to help domestic tourism gain momentum

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects more tourists to start travelling domestically from June-July when the Covid-19 situation improves, in line with its new stimulus campaigns, TAT Governor Yutthasak Supasorn said

“The third phase of “Rao Tiew Duay Kan” [We Travel Together] travel subsidy campaign will start on May 7, while the “Tour Tiew Thai” package tour scheme will kick-off on May 27. Both should help encourage more people to travel domestically,” he said.

Under Rao Tiew Duay Kan, eligible registrants can receive up to 40 per cent discount on hotel rooms and restaurants. They also will receive an e-voucher when checking into a hotel as well as a 40 per cent flight refund when they check out. The subsidy is capped at 2 million room nights whereas registrants must reserve the room at least 7 days in advance.

The new Tour Tiew Thai co-payment scheme will see the government covering up to 40 per cent of tour package cost for a maximum of one million people. The subsidy is capped at Bt5,000 per trip. Eligible people can reserve the trips starting May until August.

Thai citizens aged above 18 years are eligible for the two schemes.

Yutthasak added that due to the new wave of Covid-19, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports had reduced tourism growth estimates to 1.5 to 2 per cent for the year compared to 2020, down from the 4 per cent year-on-year expansion it had predicted at the start of 2021.

“Tourism revenue for 2021 is estimated at Bt850 billion, down from the original Bt1.2 trillion forecast,” he said. “Of these, Bt550 billion will come from domestic tourists and Bt300 billion will come from foreigners, especially after the Phuket Tourism Sandbox campaign is launched in July.”

Under this scheme, tourists who can verify that they have been inoculated against Covid-19 and test negative can fly into Phuket and move around freely without having to quarantine. Similar schemes will be applied later to other destinations such as Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Phang Nga and Surat Thani, once more people have been vaccinated and preventive measures are put in place.

Published : April 30, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000400

Comedian Arkhom succumbs to Covid-19 at 64

Famous comedian Arkhom Preedakul, 64, who was infected with Covid-19, died on Friday morning from complications.

Arkhom, known widely by his stage name “Kom Chuanchuen” or “Na Kom” (uncle Kom), reportedly contracted Covid-19 this month.

Born in 1958 in Ayutthaya province, Arkhom became popular among audiences after he joined the comedy group “Chuanchuen”.

Obituaries to Arkhom praised him as a punctual professional who was often the first to reach locations when filming movies or shows.

On Thursday evening, his daughter Napatcharin Paiboonrattanakij updated on her Instagram that medical teams had tried their best to help her father in his severe condition.

On Friday, she updated again that Arkhom was “resting in peace”.

Published : April 30, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000398

Cabinet approves THB3.75bn boost for NHSO’s battle against Covid-19

The Cabinet has approved a THB3.75-billion fund for National Health Security Office (NHSO) health units to combat the Covid-19 emergency. The fund is part of the governments THB1-trillion package to fight the pandemic and mitigate its social and economic impact.

It will cover the cost of Covid-19 services in hospitals without interrupting other essential health services under the Universal Health Coverage System.

NHSO secretary-general Dr Jadej Thammathat-Aree said that part of the approved fund would answer the increasing need for Covid-19 screening tests after the highly contagious UK strain was discovered in Thailand. The tests are reserved for “Patients Under Investigation” – people with Covid-19 symptoms who have visited virus hotspots or work in quarantine facilities – according to Department of Disease Control (DDC) guidelines.

However, recent local cases with the UK variant tend to show no or very few symptoms, pushing the DDC to include “doctor’s diagnosis” as a new condition for screening tests.

As a result, more people require the tests despite showing no symptoms.

The government fund obtained by the NHSO will cover:

1. Nasopharyngeal/throat swab specimen test RT-PCR (NHSO will cover THB1,600 per test, THB600 for staff compensation, and THB100 for specimen collection).

2. Combination of RT-PCR: Pooled saliva samples (THB320 per test, THB100 for staff fees, and THB100 for specimen collection).

Pooled nasopharyngeal and throat swab samples (THB400 per test, THB75 for staff fees, and THB100 for specimen collection)

Repeat RT-PCR test after a positive result (THB1,600 per test, THB200 for staff fees and specimen collection).

3. Antigen test (Up to THB1,200 per test).

4. Antibody test (Up to THB350 per test).

Dr Jadej Thammathat-Aree

The fund will also cover the cost of running negative pressure rooms (THB2,500/case/day,) field hospitals and hospitels (THB1,500/case/day.)

Though the government encourages people to get Covid-19 testing and treatment at state hospitals, NHSO will cover the cost of services for patients receiving these services in private hospitals.

“The Covid-19 pandemic is an emergency whose financial burdens will fall on patients if healthcare schemes do not cover them. We want everyone in Thailand to feel confident that if they follow doctors and hospital staff’s guidance, they will not need to pay any fees,” said Dr Jadej.

NHSO will reimburse the fees directly to hospital operators, who can now claim costs for Covid-19 treatment every two weeks.

It normally takes around one month to transfer public health funds to hospital operators.

“This will maintain financial liquidity for hospital operators who must provide emergency services every day,” said Dr Jadej.

Anutin Charnvirakul

Published : April 30, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000397

Ministry announces vaccination registration dates for public via Mor Phrom

The Ministry of Public Health will allow the general public to register for Covid-19 vaccination via the ministry’s official group “Mor Phrom V.2” (doctors ready) from May 1.

The ministry has been providing Covid-19 vaccination to medical professionals and volunteers at high risk of infection from interacting with patients since February 28. So far, more than a million people in this group have been given the first jab and about 200,000 have already got their second jab.

The ministry aims to vaccinate 16 million people in the first batch of registration, with priority given to those who carry risks of developing severe symptoms if they contract Covid-19. They are:

1. People over 60 years of age (as of January 1, 2020).

2. People who have chronic diseases, including severe respiratory syndrome, heart and coronary diseases, kidney diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer patients under treatment, and obese patients weighing over 100kg, or having a body mass index exceeding 35.

Ministry announces vaccination registration dates for public via Mor Phrom

General public who fit in this group can register for vaccination via Mor Phrom V.2 official account on Line application from May 1. Those who do not have a smart phone can contact the hospital that has their records or the local public health office to get registered. The vaccination of this group will start on June 7.

The general public aged 18-59 years who do not fit in this group can register via the above channels from July 1, and their vaccination could start from August.

Published : April 30, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000389

Face masks to be mandatory in all provinces from tomorrow

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Thursday made it compulsory for people in all 77 provinces to wear face masks when leaving their residences, among several other measures effective from May 1 to contain Covid-19.

Earlier this week, the Ministry of Interior had announced that people in 63 provinces having high infection rate would have to wear face masks, either cloth or sanitary type, in public places, or face a fine of up to THB20,000 under the Communicable Disease Act.

The CCSA announcement essentially extended the coverage of the ministry’s order to all provinces.

The CCSA also announced updated classification of provinces according to the severity of the Covid-19 situation.

▪︎ Six provinces have been classified as red zone, or maximum and strictly controlled area. They are: Bangkok, Chonburi, Chiang Mai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan;

▪︎ 45 provinces are classified as light red zone, or maximum controlled area;

▪︎ 26 provinces are in tye orange zone, or controlled areas.

Face masks to be mandatory in all provinces from tomorrow

Provinces in the red zone will enforce the strictest rules, such as prohibiting the gathering of more than 20 people, no dine-in at restaurants, though takeaways are allowed until 9pm. These rules will be less strict in light red and orange zones, where a gathering of less than 50 people is allowed, dine-in at restaurants is allowed until 9pm and 11pm respectively.

Face masks to be mandatory in all provinces from tomorrow

Published : April 30, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000388

Three royal ceremonies in May cancelled in bid to contain Covid-19

The Bureau of the Royal Household announced on Thursday that three royal ceremonies scheduled for May have been cancelled in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The announcement, signed by HM the King’s secretary Air Chief Marshal Sathitpong Sukwimol, said that the cancellation of the events was in line with the emergency decree on public administration in an emergency situation that the Prime Minister had announced on March 26, 2020 and then periodically extended until May 31, 2021.

The cancelled events are:

1. Coronation day ceremony and merit-making for royal ancestors from May 2-4.

2. Royal ploughing ceremony on May 9-10

3. Visakha Puja ceremony on May 25-26.

Published : April 30, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000387

Thundershowers forecast for most of Thailand, gusty winds and heavy rains in some areas

A high-pressure system from China covers the North, the Northeast and Central regions of the country as well as the South China Sea, the Thailand Meteorological Department said on Friday.

Southerly and southeasterly winds blow across upper Thailand.

Thundershowers, gusty winds, heavy rains and lightning strikes are likely in the upper regions of the country.

People should beware of the severe conditions by avoiding outdoor places, big trees, unsecured buildings and billboards, the department said. Farmers were warned of damage to crop.

Meanwhile, the easterly and southeasterly winds prevail across the Andaman Sea, the South and the Gulf of Thailand, leading to scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rains in the areas.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas; heavy rains and gusty winds are possible in some areas; temperature lows of 20-24 degrees Celsius, highs of 31-35°C.

Northeast: Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas; heavy rains and gusty winds are possible in some areas; temperature lows of 21-23°C, highs of 29-35°C.

Central: Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas; heavy rains and gusty winds are possible in some areas; temperature lows of 23-25°C, highs of 32-34°C.

East: Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas; heavy rains and gusty winds are possible in some areas; temperature lows of 23-24°C, highs of 30-35°C; waves less than a metre high and over a metre during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas and isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 22-25°C, highs of 30-34°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-24°C, highs of 31-34°C; waves 1-2 metres high and 2 metres during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 24-26°C, highs of 30-33°C.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : April 30, 2021

By : THE NATION