Thailand’s Department of Disease Control has reported a drop in the number of Covid patients being hospitalised during the first week of this year. A total of 997 patients were hospitalised, at an average of 142 a day. According to department boss, Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong, that number is half that of the week before.
Nation Thailand reports that 382 patients are being treated for lung infections, with 242 on ventilators. However, lung infections and the number on ventilators has fallen by 28% and 30% respectively, when compared to the last week of 2022, according to Tares.
There have been 58 Covid-related deaths during the first week of 2023, or an average of 8 a day. With the exception of one patient, all the deaths were in people in high-risk groups, including the elderly or those with underlying health conditions.
Of those who died, 32 were either not vaccinated or had received only a single vaccine dose. 16 had not received any booster dose and in the case of 10 people, it had been more than 3 months since they received a booster. Tares says there were no deaths reported in the patients who received a booster dose less than 3 months ago.
“Hence, the Public Health Ministry is encouraging people to receive at least 4 jabs, especially those in the vulnerable group.”
Meanwhile, Thailand has now administered over 149 million doses of Covid vaccines, according to Sopon Iamsirithaworn from the DDC. The Food and Drug Administration has also extended the expiry date for Pfizer vaccination from 9 months to 15 months.
Sopon adds that vaccines remain available at public and private clinics for those who need them and AstraZeneca vaccines are being offered to those who do not want an mRNA vaccine.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
