The COVID-2019 Thread

[misskit]

Covid patients asked to isolate for 5 days as quarantine rule scrapped

BANGKOK (NNT) - Health authorities in Thailand no longer regard COVID-19 as a dangerous communicable disease, but those who test positive are asked to stay away from others for at least five days.


Health authorities have revealed the latest guideline for COVID-19 patients, with the outpatient protocol now default for patients with mild to no symptoms.


This adjustment was made following the downgrade of COVID-19 from a dangerous communicable disease to a communicable disease under surveillance, resulting in a further relaxation of measures previously put in place to suppress the spread.


Dr. Thongchai Keratihuttayakorn, Director General of the Department of Medical Services, said people testing positive for COVID-19 who do not exhibit symptoms will need to practice precautionary measures that include social distancing, masking, and hand hygiene for 5 days. They will not be prescribed antiviral drugs.


Patients who exhibit mild symptoms will be treated as outpatients, with antivirals prescribed based on the doctor’s discretion. Medications provided to patients who exhibit symptoms include green chiretta and Favipiravir, while those with underlying health conditions may receive one of the antivirals approved for COVID-19 treatment.


Patients who develop lung infections will be admitted to the hospital and will be prescribed Remdesivir.


Dr. Thongchai said people with underlying diseases, are at high risk of developing severe complications, and children who develop drowsiness, lack of appetite, dehydration from diarrhea, or seizure from high fever, should quickly see a doctor.


The current guideline no longer recommends antigen self-test unless suspicious symptoms are shown. People are encouraged to stay at home when developing symptoms such as coughs and a runny nose. If they need to leave home, they should double mask, maintain a safe distance from others, and frequently sanitize their hands.


Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha meanwhile thanked all sectors for their collective efforts leading to successful COVID-19 control, which has led to the recovery of travel and the economy.


He asked the general public to remain vigilant and practice personal hygiene.

Covid patients asked to isolate for 5 days as quarantine rule scrapped

[harrybarracuda]

For over two years now, the US government has purchased all of the covid vaccines administered in the country, in what has become the largest public vaccination campaign in American history.
Those purchases have included more than 500 million doses from Pfizer. The first 100 million cost around $20 a dose, thanks to an earlier agreement in which the US government invested $1.95 billion in vaccine production. The remaining doses were bought for around $30 each.
But once the US government supplies run out (likely in the first quarter of 2023) and covid vaccines and therapeutics are moved onto commercial health platforms, Pfizer is able to hike up the price of its shots.
The company announced on Oct. 20 that it intends to sell the covid vaccine, marketed under the brand name Comirnaty, for $110 to $130 per dose.
This is about four times the current selling price—and 100 times the estimated cost of manufacturing the vaccine.

How much is a dose of covid vaccine?

[Shutree]

This is about four times the current selling price—and 100 times the estimated cost of manufacturing the vaccine.

I wouldn't mind too much if the vaccines actually worked. Through a series of unexpected opportunities combined with poor planning I had four covid jabs, including one Pfizer, before I caught covid. Maybe the jabs help moderate the symptoms, how would I know?

My sister and her husband in Wales are fully jabbed and after dodging it for two and a half years they have just caught covid. They are suffering badly although not at the hospital stage, yet.

[harrybarracuda]

I wouldn't mind too much if the vaccines actually worked. Through a series of unexpected opportunities combined with poor planning I had four covid jabs, including one Pfizer, before I caught covid. Maybe the jabs help moderate the symptoms, how would I know?

By reading some science on the subject.

Generally speaking if they have it bad, they could have been much worse off.

The virus has different effects on different people, and they haven't yet worked out what genetic tricks make this happen.

Add to that new variants and we will probably see a winter wave, although the newer variants don't tend to be as severe - although see above.

And some people are far more susceptible to serious infection than others. No-one knows why as yet, barring the obvious factors such as a waning immune system caused by age or illness.

[prawnograph]

"where are your friends?"

Regularly asked this, well they weren't my friends, but there used to be a small population of Dutch and German retirees living rurally outside our town of 9000 that we'd see at Lotus, fresh markets, park, occasionally at the beach. Kept to themselves but polite enough when we crossed paths.

All gone within the last 2+ years, I think we'd have heard if any died locally, can only guess they returned to their home countries in the Covid times.

The (UK) Head of English at the high school has gone too after well over 10 years here, though maybe just moved to another school.

There was a Kenyan woman teaching English last term but told that was only temporary.

Appears I'm the only farang in town.

I had Covid - well the ATK test said I did, no symptoms, the weak link as the family were somehow immune.

Life goes on.

[hallelujah]

By reading some science on the subject.

Generally speaking if they have it bad, they could have been much worse off.

The virus has different effects on different people, and they haven't yet worked out what genetic tricks make this happen.

Add to that new variants and we will probably see a winter wave, although the newer variants don't tend to be as severe - although see above.

And some people are far more susceptible to serious infection than others. No-one knows why as yet, barring the obvious factors such as a waning immune system caused by age or illness.

Are you on the payroll, harry?

You've gottta be.

[harrybarracuda]

Are you on the payroll, harry?

You've gottta be.

The payroll of what you fucking chimp?

[harrybarracuda]

COVID-19 at any level of severity is linked to an increased risk of dangerous blood clots that start in patients’ veins and travel to the heart, lungs and other parts of the body, according to a U.K. study that highlights the pandemic’s role in driving up rates of cardiovascular disease.
Nonhospitalized COVID-19 patients were 2.7 times more likely to develop dangerous clots called venous thromboembolisms and were more than 10 times more likely to die than individuals who avoided the disease, scientists at Queen Mary University of London found in a study of almost 54,000 people followed for an average of about 4½ months. The increase in risk was highest in the first 30 days after the disease began, but could remain elevated even longer, the researchers said.

COVID-19 tied to higher risk of deadly blood clots, large study finds | The Japan Times

[happynz]

I've been fortunate so far in recovering fairly quickly after catching the virus this past Sunday. I feel nearly up to speed, but a weird side affect is that some foods have a odd and unpleasant smell and taste. Most things are fine, but so far anything with egg yolk and vinegar smell and taste like what ammonia smells like.

It's not debilitating, but it's somewhat unpleasant. Dr Google says regular programming to the taste buds will return anywhere from two weeks to six months, maybe never.

[thailazer]

Just got the bivalent Moderna booster yesterday and it took me out for 24 hours. Light fever, severe headache, cramping calf muscles, and a really sore arm. I have had no reactions to prior shots so this vaccine variant has some new kick to it.

[happynz]

I hope it keeps any covid virus away.

[harrybarracuda]

And today children, we're going to learn the meaning of the Latin phrase "ad absurdum"....

China Covid: Millions back in lockdown as Beijing doubles down on zero-Covid


Dozens of cities across China, including Wuhan where the coronavirus was first recorded, have gone into lockdown - as the country pursues leader Xi Jinping's zero-Covid policy.


More than 800,000 people in one district in Wuhan were told to stay at home until 30 October.


"We feel numb to it all. We feel more and more numb," one local told Reuters.


The city of Zhengzhou, home to the world's largest iPhone manufacturing plant, was also affected.


It comes as China reported a third straight day of more than 1,000 cases.


Earlier this month Mr Xi signalled that there would be no easing up of the zero-Covid policy, calling it a "people's war to stop the spread of the virus".


As of Oct 24, some 28 cities across the country were implementing some degree of lockdown measures, analysts Nomura told news agency Reuters - with around 207 million people affected in regions responsible for almost a quarter of China's GDP, it added.


Across the country, around 200 lockdowns have been implemented in recent days - the majority of this affecting communities that have been marked as high or medium risk. Residents in different areas are subject to different rules, depending on whether they are in a low, medium or high-risk zone.


Wuhan reported up to 25 new infections a day this week, with more than 200 cases over the past two weeks.


In Zhengzhou, a "small number of employees" from Foxconn - a major manufacturer for Apple - have been "affected by the pandemic", the manufacturer told the BBC, adding that quarantined employees were being provided with "material supplies, psychological comfort and responsive feedback". It comes at a critical period for Apple - which is now making the new iPhone 14.


Earlier this week, in-person schooling and dining in at restaurants were suspended in the southern Chinese hub of Guangzhou - which on Thursday reported 19 new virus cases, Some neighbourhoods in the city also remain subject to various control measures.




Even further-flung regions such as Tibet have been affected, after footage emerged earlier this week showing rare large-scale protests against strict zero-Covid measures in the regional capital Lhasa.


The city has been under lockdown for nearly three months as it battles the virus - local officials on Thursday had said eight new Covid cases were reported in Lhasa.


Multiple videos on social media showed hundreds demonstrating and clashing with police. They were said to be mostly ethnic Han Chinese migrant workers. A Lhasa resident confirmed to the BBC that the demonstration had taken place in the city on Wednesday.


Though seen as relatively small outbreaks in other parts of the world, China adheres to a strict zero-Covid policy, where authorities try to wipe out outbreaks.


The adherence to the policy comes despite increasing public fatigue and anger over lockdowns and travel restrictions. The country's economy has also taken a hit as a result - with GDP falling by 2.6% in the three months to the end of June from the previous quarter.


China Covid: Millions back in lockdown as Beijing doubles down on zero-Covid - BBC News

[panama hat]

Can't find the thread about having covid - anyone?

[cyrille]

Hope you are on the mend, hnz.

[harrybarracuda]

Can't find the thread about having covid - anyone?

They do say it causes neurological problems.

I've caught Covid!

[panama hat]

They do say it causes neurological problems.

I've caught Covid!

I'm like that even without covid

Thanks, harry

[harrybarracuda]

I'm like that even without covid

Thanks, harry

I know the feeling, ask Billy Graham.

[misskit]

BEIJING, Oct 30 (Reuters) – Cities in central China hastily drew up plans to isolate migrant workers fleeing to their hometowns from a vast assembly facility of iPhone maker Foxconn in COVID-hit Zhengzhou, fearing they could trigger coronavirus outbreaks.


Zhengzhou, capital of central Henan province, reported 167 locally transmitted COVID-19 cases in the seven days to Oct. 29, up from 97 infections in the prior seven-day period.


Apple supplier Foxconn, based in Taiwan, currently has about 200,000 workers at its Zhengzhou complex and has not disclosed the number of infected workers, but said on Sunday that it would not stop workers from leaving.


Late on Saturday, cities near Zhengzhou, including Yuzhou, Changge and Qinyang, urged Foxconn workers to report to local authorities in advance before heading home.


Returning workers are to travel “point-to-point” in pre-arranged vehicles and are to be quarantined on arrival, they said in separate letters on their respective social media accounts addressed to Zhengzhou Foxconn workers.


Under China’s ultra-strict zero-COVID policy, cities are mandated to act swiftly to quell any outbreaks, with measures that could include full-scale lockdowns. On Oct. 19, Foxconn banned all dine-in at canteens and required workers to take their meals in their dormitories.


“The government agreed to resume dine-in meals to improve the convenience and satisfaction of employees’ lives,” Foxconn told Reuters in an emailed reply to queries on Sunday.


“At the same time, for some employees who want to return home, the (plant) is cooperating with the government to organise personnel and vehicles to provide a point-to-point orderly return service for employees from today.”


Disruptions from China’s COVID policies to commerce and industry have intensified in recent weeks as cases multiplied. Shanghai Disneyland said on Saturday it would operate at reduced capacity. On Wednesday, Universal Beijing Resort was suspended after the visit of one infected individual.


“We are very aware that under the current situation, it is a protracted battle,” Foxconn said.


But the situation was gradually coming under control, it said, and Foxconn would coordinate back-up production capacity with its other plants to reduce any potential impact.


Apple did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment on the Foxconn situation.


‘I COULDN’T HELP BUT FEEL SAD’


Foxconn did not respond to Reuters questions on how many cases had been detected at its Zhengzhou plant and how many workers had left.


Photographs and videos circulating on Chinese social media since Saturday showed Foxconn workers, apparently returning home, trekking across fields in the day and along roads at night. Reuters could not immediately verify the authenticity of the posts.


In a show of support, residents in the vicinity left bottled water and provisions next to roads with signs such as: “For Foxconn workers returning home”, according to social media posts.


“Some people were walking amid wheat fields with their luggage, blankets and quilts,” wrote a user of WeChat in a post about the social media images.


“I couldn’t help but feel sad.”

Chinese cities brace for wave of Foxconn workers from COVID-hit Zhengzhou | Thai PBS World : The latest Thai news in English, News Headlines, World News and News Broadcasts in both Thai and English. We bring Thailand to the world

[misskit]

Fearing Covid, workers flee from Foxconn’s vast Chinese iPhone plant

After enduring days of lock-in at Foxconn’s vast facility in central China with 200,000 other workers, Yuan finally climbed the fences on Saturday night and escaped the complex, joining others fleeing what they feared was a widening Covid outbreak.


He walked through the night, keeping to a northerly route, towards his hometown of Hebi, every step taking him farther away from iPhone maker Foxconn’s Zhengzhou plant, the Taiwan-based group’s largest in mainland China.


“There were so many people on the road,” Yuan told Reuters on Monday, declining to give his full name because of the matter’s sensitivity.


Since mid-October, Foxconn has been wrestling with a Covid-19 outbreak at its facility in Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan province in central China. Workers were locked in to stop the spread of the coronavirus to the outside world. Foxconn has repeatedly refrained from disclosing the caseload.


“We were shut in on Oct. 14, and we had to do endless PCR tests, and after about 10 days, we had to wear N95 masks and were given traditional Chinese medicine,” said Yuan.


Whenever a positive or suspected case was found at a production line, there would be a public broadcast, but work would continue, he told Reuters.


“People would be called away in the middle of work, and if they don’t show up the next day, that would mean they had been taken away,” Yuan said.


Around 20,000 workers had been put in quarantine on-site, Yuan had heard, but he could not be sure how many were infected, as management did not publicize that information.


China typically isolates vast numbers of people considered close or even potential contacts of an infected person.


The world’s second-largest economy continues to wage war on Covid with disruptive lockdowns, mass testing and quarantines while many other countries have chosen to live with the disease.


For companies with massive manufacturing campuses like Foxconn, that has meant keeping thousands of workers on-site in so-called “closed-loop” systems to keep their production lines running.


“Food for tens of thousands was merely left outside (of the quarantine buildings at the plant),” said a worker surnamed Li, 21.


Li, who is still at the plant, said she was planning to quit.


In a statement on Monday, Apple
supplier Foxconn said that reports that 20,000 staff had been diagnosed with Covid were false.


On Sunday afternoon, the company told Reuters in an emailed statement that workers were allowed to leave if they chose to.


Foxconn did not immediately respond to a Reuters request on Monday for further comment.


‘Never go back’


Disruptions from China’s zero-COVID policies to commerce and industry have widened in October as cases escalated. Apart from the Foxconn lockdown, the Shanghai Disney Resort was shut from Monday to comply with counter-epidemic requirements, with visitors still inside.


For Yuan, matters came to a head when he heard that a housing complex for workers near his plant had been cordoned off by security on Friday, and that the plant itself was to go under a curfew the next day.


In a panic, Yuan decided to leave the next day, joining streams of other escaping workers. It was not immediately clear if a curfew was eventually imposed.


By Sunday morning, Yuan had hiked to the banks of the Yellow River, the northern boundary of Zhengzhou, where he was stopped 50 km (30 miles) short of Hebi by authorities from the city of Xinxiang on the other side.


“I’ll never go back to Foxconn,” said Yuan, who has since been transported to Hebi and put under quarantine.


“Zhengzhou has put a chill in my heart.”

Fearing Covid, workers flee from Foxconn'''s vast Chinese iPhone plant

[harrybarracuda]

A man who had Covid-19 for 411 days was finally cleared of the virus thanks to a mix of drugs, doctors have reported.
The man, now 59, was unable to get rid of an early variant of the virus, said experts from Guy’s and St Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust, London, and King’s College London.
He is thought to be one of the longest living patients with a persistent Covid infection and has a weakened immune system after a kidney transplant.

Man in UK finally cleared of Covid after 411 days

[Little Chuchok]

Hope you are on the mend, hnz.

yep..

[happynz]

Hope you are on the mend, hnz.

All good now.

[hallelujah]

All good now.

Like this was ever in doubt.

[harrybarracuda]

All that money from selling pirated goods and Mr. Shithole still won't buy some decent vaccines.

What an arse.

BEIJING: Chinese authorities stepped up COVID-19 lockdowns and other curbs to halt clusters from spreading as China's case load soared to its highest since this year's Shanghai lockdown, with Beijing and Zhengzhou seeing record daily cases.
China reported on Friday (Nov 11) 10,535 new locally transmitted cases for Nov 10, the highest since Apr 29, when the country's commercial hub, Shanghai, was battling its most serious outbreak.
The nationwide surge, still small by global standards and for a country of 1.4 billion people, has spurred China's top leadership to reaffirm its zero-tolerance strategy for the virus, a policy that President Xi Jinping says is to save lives, especially among China's elderly.

China's COVID-19 curbs intensify as cases surge to highest since Shanghai lockdown - CNA

[harrybarracuda]

So the great Swedish approach of letting Covid run wild turned out to be wrong.

Ultimately, the data paints a pretty damning picture. Sweden took a unique approach, and it hasn’t paid off. In fact, it seemed to have condemned people that could have otherwise been saved.

Remember the infamous Swedish pandemic model? Turns out, it really didn't work