Ministry of Public Health reported on Friday (December 31) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 3,111 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 154 of whom have been found in prisons.
Death toll increased by 26, while 3,241 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.
The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 2,223,435 – 2,168,494 of whom have recovered, 33,243 are still in hospitals and 21,698 have died.
Separately, another 61,134 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 151,440 their second shot and 171,179 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 104,278,364.
According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 286.88 million on Friday, 253.17 million of whom have recovered, 28.26 million are active cases (90,208 in severe condition) and 5.45 million have died (up by 6,758).
Thailand ranks 24th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 55.25 million, followed by India with 34.84 million, Brazil with 22.28 million, the UK with 12.75 million and Russia with 10.48 million.
The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Friday (December 31) that the rather strong high-pressure system covers upper Thailand. Cool to cold weather and strong winds are forecast in the areas with a decrease in temperature by 1-3 °C.
Mountaintops in the North and the Northeast are cold to very cold with temperature ranging from 4 to 15 °C. Meanwhile, the westerly trough that covers upper North brings isolated thundershowers to the region. People should take care of their health due to variable weather.
The Department also mentioned that the strong northeast monsoon prevails across the Gulf of Thailand and the South. Thundershowers and isolated heavy rains are forecast for the lower South. Waves in the Gulf are about 2 meters high and 2-3 meters during thundershowers. People in the lower South should beware of the severe condition and rain accumulation that may cause flash flood and overflows. All ships should proceed with caution and small boats should keep ashore.
The weather forecast for the next 24 hours is as follows:
North: Cool to cold weather with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 15-20 degrees and highs of 29-33 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 4-12 degrees Celsius.
Northeast: Cool to cold weather with strong winds; temperature lows of 14-20 degrees and highs of 28-31 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 7-15 degrees Celsius.
Central: Cool weather in the morning with strong winds; temperature lows of 20-23 degrees, highs of 30-33 degrees Celsius.
East: Cool weather in the morning with strong winds; temperature lows of 21-24 degrees, highs of 31-33 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters high offshore.
South (east coast): Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees, highs of 28-32 degrees Celsius; waves 2 meters high and 2-3 meters high during thundershowers.
South (west coast): Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 24-26 degrees, highs of 31-32 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters high offshore.
Bangkok and surrounding areas: Cool weather in the morning with strong winds; temperature lows of 22-24 degrees, highs of 30-32 degrees Celsius.
Chiang Mai Airport is ready to take care of the safety of passengers returning to their hometowns and tourists who arrive to experience the cold weather and the beauty of the province, director Wichit Kaewsaitiam said.
The airport, which sees an average of 110-120 flights per day, expects 16,000-17,500 passengers to pass through, which may result in congestion at the airport as well as surrounding roads at certain times.
To prevent the spread of Covid-19, especially the Omicron variant, the Chiang Mai Provincial Public Health Office and Nakornping Hospital has deployed staff to provide ATK testing and vaccination services at exit gate No 1 of the domestic passenger terminal. Passengers can get tested and/or vaccinated for free.
The United Kingdom has announced the endorsement of Covid-19 vaccination certificates issued by Thailand’s Department of Disease Control in digital form (e-vaccine passport) via the MOH Prompt application, Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Thani Saengrat said on Thursday.
Thai citizens can use the certificate when entering the UK.
However, all Thai travellers to the UK are required to monitor and adhere strictly to UK immigration health measures, such as requirements for Covid-19 testing before and after arriving in that country.
Those planning a trip to the UK should check immigration regulations on the www.gov.uk website before travelling.
Children aged 5-11 who have not been vaccinated are expected to be administered their first dose against the new Omicron variant by February, Deputy Public Health Minister Satit Pitutecha said on Thursday after visiting the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health.
The ministry simulated three scenarios regarding the Omicron situation – the most severe, moderate and least severe.
Children who are not vaccinated are among the group of most concern.
Satit asked all hospitals to be prepared to treat these children.
He said the government expects to start vaccinating children aged 5-11 with Pfizer sometime in February, while stressing that these children should be vaccinated as soon as possible in order to build immunity to fight the coronavirus.
However, he said, information on Omicron at this time shows the variant is not as severe as the others.
He advised people travelling during the New Year holidays to consider the risks and attend activities preferably in open spaces, where the chance of getting infected is less.
December 29, the first of “seven dangerous days” for the New Year festival, saw 362 accidents, 39 deaths and 362 injuries, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported on Thursday.
Speeding remains the leading cause of the highest number of accidents, with 34.6 per cent, followed by drink driving (23.8%). The most accidents occurred on long, straight roads.
The most accident-prone vehicles were motorcycles at 81 per cent.
The province with the highest number of accidents was Ratchaburi (13), while Nakhon Ratchasima had the most fatalities (5). Loei accounted for the most accidents, at 14.
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