The COVID-2019 Thread

[misskit]

A friend in MaeJo sent this photo today. Field hospital at MJU. Breaks my heart.

[harrybarracuda]

Not really a field hospital so much as an isolation centre.

[Buckaroo Banzai]

^ The only uncertainty is from you.

Just get on with it... no one knows how Covid will play out, world wide or just Thailand. This will affect our lives for years.

As far as I am concerned we are coming no mater what. But wife was a bit nervous in view of recent reports. I actually showed her your replies to calm her a bit. LOL

^ Agreed


^^ BB you are inoculated, both of you, keep taking Vit D and all will be alright - Oh and on vitamins that is one thing i'd buy and bring over (long dated) - they are expensive in Thailand. It really doesn't matter where you live, things are not going to be normal for a long time yet, at least in Thailand it'll be a change of scenery.

I agree, after a year of US, trump, bidden, covid etc. BS some new BS would be just that the doctor ordered.
To complicate matters my Brother just called me from Greece and said that they just opened the country to all those vaccinated, without quarantine or other hustles. Grrrr. three months in Greece would had been nice until Thailand settled down. But we are committed to Thailand now.
Unless.... Ha ha ha , I am only kidding. Thailand it is .

[strigils]

^^^ Kit take heart, the UK set up many such places and they remained largely unused thank God, its a precaution at the moment not a necessity.

[Buckaroo Banzai]

Not really a field hospital so much as an isolation centre.

I thought the same also when I saw the picture, it looks more like a detention center.
I am afraid it would have a negative affect , because people would be afraid to go get tested in fear that they might end up there.
I know I wouldn't go get tested if I thought I would end up there.

[strigils]

I thought the same same

BB you're getting it, almost like a native

[Buckaroo Banzai]

BB you're getting it, almost like a native

It looks like I spell like a native also LOL
WTF I looked at what I had written and it seems I had misspelled every other word, I am not sure if I should have my eyes or my brain tested,
Maybe I can get a two for the price of one deal and have them tested both.

[OhOh]

Breaks my heart.

Not really a field hospital so much as an isolation centre.

In the UK people have been applauding the NHS workers and preparations week in week out.

Some on TD mock Thais for being prepared. No customers yet, it appears.

[Klondyke]

WTF I looked at what I had written and it seems I had misspelled every other word, I am not sure if I should have my eyes or my brain tested,
Maybe I can get a two for the price of one deal and have them tested both.

Do not worry, you will not be scolded as some here...

[Shutree]

Field hospital at MJU.

That looks very uncomfortable. Can you imagine what it would be like when full? If you go for a test and are found positive but symptomless then get sent there, surrounded by dozens of people with different strains of the virus, all sharing limited bathroom facilities. Go in sick and come out in a box.

[harrybarracuda]

That looks very uncomfortable. Can you imagine what it would be like when full? If you go for a test and are found positive but symptomless then get sent there, surrounded by dozens of people with different strains of the virus, all sharing limited bathroom facilities. Go in sick and come out in a box.

If a tourist, make sure your health insurance covers you for a hospital stay if infected but asymptomatic.

Not something I thought about, but apparently mine does (not that it should matter, being vaccinated).

[strigils]

^ its amazing they don't seem to even have screens

[misskit]

Moderna plans to have third vaccine booster shot ready by fall

COVID-19 vaccine maker Moderna will make a third booster shot for its two-dose vaccine available to Americans by the fall, CEO Stéphane Bancel said this week.




Moderna's vaccine is more than 90% effective against the coronavirus six months after the second shot, studies show. What remains unclear is how long immunity from the virus lasts.


The same is true of Pfizer's two-dose COVID-19 vaccine.

"There will be likely a need for a third dose, somewhere between six and 12 months. And then from there, there will be an annual revaccination. But all of that needs to be confirmed," Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said Thursday at a virtual event hosted by CVS Health.


A third booster shot against the virus is not yet required, but health experts say it could provide additional immunity against COVID-19 variants that are beginning to spread to the U.S. from Brazil, South Africa and the United Kingdom.

MORE Moderna plans to have COVID vaccine booster shot ready by fall - CBS News

[OhOh]

^ its amazing they don't seem to even have screens

The blue plastic pipe screen, complete with Thai company sponsored logo splattered covering, will be wheeled around as required. The screen will have a bicycle bell awaking the sleeping family members resting under the bed.

[OhOh]

WHO rejects Covid passport schemes over fears vaccines don’t stop virus transmission

19 Apr, 2021 16:29

"The World Health Organization (WHO) has staunchly rejected the use of Covid passports to reopen travel in a meeting of its emergency committee, over concerns that vaccinations alone won’t prevent the transmission of the virus. Reiterating their previously stated position on Monday, the WHO’s Emergency Committee said it opposed the use of proof of vaccination documents as a condition of international travel due to the lack of evidence over the impact of vaccination on the transmission of coronavirus.

The WHO’s declaration comes amid alarm from the group over “the persistent inequity in global vaccine distribution”, with the international health body stating that Covid passports would only further promote unequal freedom of movement.

Parties are strongly encouraged to acknowledge the potential for requirements of proof of vaccination to deepen inequities.

Instead, the WHO has recommended that countries impose quarantine measures for international travellers and introduce “coordinated, time-limited, risk-based and evidence-based approaches for health measures.”

Concerns about the inequality that would be caused by the use of Covid passports has been sparked by wealthier nations snapping up vaccines, while poorer countries have been left without enough doses to effectively vaccinate their population."

WHO rejects Covid passport schemes over fears vaccines don’t stop virus transmission — RT World News

[harrybarracuda]

WHO rejects Covid passport schemes over fears vaccines don’t stop virus transmission

19 Apr, 2021 16:29

"The World Health Organization (WHO) has staunchly rejected the use of Covid passports to reopen travel in a meeting of its emergency committee, over concerns that vaccinations alone won’t prevent the transmission of the virus. Reiterating their previously stated position on Monday, the WHO’s Emergency Committee said it opposed the use of proof of vaccination documents as a condition of international travel due to the lack of evidence over the impact of vaccination on the transmission of coronavirus.

The WHO’s declaration comes amid alarm from the group over “the persistent inequity in global vaccine distribution”, with the international health body stating that Covid passports would only further promote unequal freedom of movement.

Parties are strongly encouraged to acknowledge the potential for requirements of proof of vaccination to deepen inequities.

Instead, the WHO has recommended that countries impose quarantine measures for international travellers and introduce “coordinated, time-limited, risk-based and evidence-based approaches for health measures.”

Concerns about the inequality that would be caused by the use of Covid passports has been sparked by wealthier nations snapping up vaccines, while poorer countries have been left without enough doses to effectively vaccinate their population."

WHO rejects Covid passport schemes over fears vaccines don’t stop virus transmission — RT World News

That's because of those shitty chinky vaccines that don't work properly.

[Seekingasylum]

No, you lumpen moron, it isn't.

The vaccine's function is to prevent symptoms progressing once you have been infected. All vaccine makers have claimed at some stage that their vaccine will provide 100% protection against the need for ICU care, and death once you are infected but the degree by which you are protected from mild or moderate symptoms have varied from 50% efficacy to 90% although these results fluctuate depending on the particular strain and the methodology of gathering data.

Nevertheless, once you have become infected, albeit with no deleterious effects or possibly even to the point you are asymptomatic, you are still capable of transmitting it to others including of course those who have not been inoculated.

Your stupidity is a bore, 'Arry.

[harrybarracuda]

Looks like SA is a bit upset that his only choice for a vaccine is the chinky shit or to sit and watch turds float past his balcony while he waits for the Thai attempt at something else.

Meanwhile, in the land of decent vaccines:

Cases of COVID-19 among fully vaccinated people are extremely rare, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to new data from the CDC, only 0.008% of fully vaccinated people have caught an infection in the U.S. So far more than 75 million people in the U.S. have been fully vaccinated, meaning only 5,800 have become infected. The CDC says that the majority of people with these infections were not hospitalized and 29% were asymptomatic infections.

99.99% Of Fully Vaccinated People Have Avoided COVID Infections | Lifestyle | NewsChain

[HuangLao]

In the UK people have been applauding the NHS workers and preparations week in week out.

Some on TD mock Thais for being prepared. No customers yet, it appears.

Indeed.
The comparatives as to how each society has handled the continuing surges shouldn't be challenged, as 14-15 months time and the numbers have shown.

Though, I believe the Thais would do themselves better if they might speed up the mass vaccination process instead of stumbling over themselves, steeped in delaying politics and bureaucracy -

[misskit]

Thailand: More than 200 in critical condition as Covid cases surge

The number of patients in critical condition from coronavirus infection has exceeded 200, the government said on Tuesday, adding that the number was in line with the overall surge in infection rates, which have reached more than 1,000 per day.


“As there are more cases, the number of people with a critical condition will also gradually increase and this situation will be more apparent along with the rising number of deaths,” said Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, the spokesman for the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).


The third wave, which started at entertainment venues in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, has led to 16,322 cases and 14 deaths since April 1.


The country has been reporting more than 1,000 cases per day since April 14, including hospital admissions of 16,119 people.


Of those, 13,169 are being treated at private and public hospitals while 2,950 patients are being treated at field hospitals set up in hard-hit provinces.


Of the total 16,119 admitted people, 223 are in critical condition including 55 patients who require a ventilator to breath.


The death rate for the third wave between April 1 and 20 is at 0.09 per cent, compared to 0.14 per cent in the second wave (December 2020 to March) and 1.42 per cent in the first wave (January to December 2020).


Altogether, the virus has infected 45,185 and killed 108 people in Thailand since the pandemic began, a death rate of 0.24 per cent.


Globally, more than 3 million people have died from the virus. The World Health Organization estimates its mortality rate at 3.4 per cent.


Taweesin said the lower mortality rate shows that Thailand’s medical capacity and facilities are effective in preventing serious illnesses and death related to the coronavirus infection.


Daily numbers


Thailand found 1,443 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours.


Of those, 1,328 were found via tests at medical facilitates, 113 via proactive tests at known clusters and two were found in quarantine facilities.


Of the 1,441 local cases, the highest numbers by province were 350 in Bangkok, followed by 116 in Chiang Mai, 82 in Chonburi and 60 in Samut Prakan.


Of the 16,322 cases found since April 1, a total of 6,020 had visited known entertainment venue clusters.


There are now nine major clusters around the country including entertainment venues in Bangkok and Songkhla, an event in Phuket, a football match in Nakhon Si Thammarat, entertainment venues in Chonburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Sa Kaeo and Chiang Mai, and a prison in Narathiwat.

More than 200 in critical condition as Covid cases surge - Thai Enquirer

[harrybarracuda]

Less than 600,000 doses administered. When are you getting yours then SA?

Seven people suffered from partial paralysis after receiving the Sinovac vaccine, a doctor from Chulalongkorn University said.
Thiravat Hemachudha, director of the Health Science Centre of Emerging Diseases at Chulalongkorn University's faculty of medicine, posted on Facebook on Tuesday that six of them were in Rayong and one at the Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital in Chon Buri's Sri Racha district.
Their conditions improved after doctors administered medication to dissolve blood clots, Dr Thiravat posted. The hospitals had reported their conditions to the Public Health Ministry, he wrote. Their conditions might have been caused by certain lots of vaccines, not by all of the vaccines, he said.

Adverse symptoms in seven Sinovac recipients: Chula doctor

[Joe 90]

Sinovav is completely impotent and useless.
Been proven!

[Klondyke]

Higher risk associated with AstraZeneca vaccine than from COVID-19 disease in Norway

Having come a long way in vaccinating the oldest citizens, Norway has reduced the risk of death for many of those most at risk. Since most of the elderly have either been vaccinated, or soon will be, this means that continued use of the vaccine would mainly be among the under-65 years age group if we were to use this vaccine in Norway.

Calculations have been performed based on Norwegian data where the risk of dying from COVID-19 disease among the different age groups is compared with the risk of dying from the severe, but rare, condition with severe blood clots observed after AstraZeneca vaccination.

"Since there are few people who die from COVID-19 in Norway, the risk of dying after vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine would be higher than the risk of dying from the disease, particularly for younger people," says Bukholm.

In addition, there is reason to assume that there is scepticism about using the AstraZeneca vaccine in Norway, and it is uncertain how many people would have accepted an offer of this vaccine now.

https://www.fhi.no/en/news/2021/astr...ramme-in-norw/

[OhOh]

Study finds Brazil, SA, UK variants of Covid-19 in Karachi

Faiza Ilyas Published April 16, 2021

"KARACHI: The United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil variants of the coronavirus might be responsible for the current severe third wave of Covid-19 in Pakistan, says a recent study. The study, which analysed 3,501 positive samples, found that these variants were responsible for causing 54 per cent of new Covid-19 infections reported from December 2020 to February 2021 in Karachi.

According to the study, the positivity ratio in the months of September to November 2020 was 1.538pc, which jumped to 7.6pc in December 2020 to February 2021.

This dramatic rise in cases, the study shows, clearly indicates importation of cases (to Pakistan) from the countries where these viral strains were spreading before and during November 2020.

“This is the most worrisome finding of the study. It means that our Covid-19-specific monitoring and screening system at the airports is highly flawed. In fact, it seems that no monitoring is being carried out at all to detect Covid-19 patients,” said Dr Rafiq Khanani, a senior pathologist and president of the Infection Control Society of Pakistan.

‘Our fight against the coronavirus will never end if we continue to import its new variants’

Dr Khanani conducted the study with colleagues Dr Muhammad Hanif and Dr Adnan Dinar, both molecular biologists. The study has been accepted for publication in an international journal.

“Unmonitored international flights and no quarantine on arrival in Pakistan from any country seemed to have led to a rapid introduction of the variants in Pakistan,” Dr Khanani explained, adding that the spread of the pandemic globally provided an opportunity to variable strain types to thrive.

The analysis found the UK variant in 944 samples and Brazil and South Africa variants (together) in 934 samples. There were 1,623 cases of old viral infection.

Limited vaccine efficacy

He also raised concern over the situation in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, badly hit by the third wave of the coronavirus, and said the situation was likely to be more serious in those parts of the country (in terms of having more variant types) in coming days.

“This would have a direct impact on the vaccine’s efficacy, particularly in the case of the South Africa variant. Vaccines haven’t been found very effective against this specific variant. Second, our fight against the coronavirus will never end if we continue to import its new variants,” he said, calling for stringent monitoring at airports and ensuring compliance with isolation and quarantine protocols in case of a positive case.

About Brazil, South Africa and UK variants, Dr Khanani said they were the cause of concern globally because of their ability to transmit rapidly, causing a more severe disease, involving younger age groups and relatively infecting more females, and they could also be responsible for escape from immune responses.

“Our study also showed that these variants affect women and younger age groups more, if their pattern is compared to the previous data of coronavirus outbreak,” he said, adding that the team only analysed lab samples and could not comment on disease severity since it had no interaction with patients.

Meanwhile, experts at Karachi University’s National Centre for Virology have also detected the South Africa variant with the UK variant in the samples tested at the facility.

“Around 50 per cent of the positive cases tested at the facility involved the UK variant while 25 per cent were the South Africa variant. There is a need for genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 to timely identify and contain the rapidly emerging new strains of the virus,” said Prof Mohammad Iqbal Choudhary, director of the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences at the KU."

Study finds Brazil, SA, UK variants of Covid-19 in Karachi - Pakistan - DAWN.COM

[harrybarracuda]

Man of action!

Thailand will seek to buy about 35 million more doses of Covid-19 vaccine from two or three other producers, in addition to the acquisition of 65 million doses already underway, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on his Facebook page on Wednesday.

Thailand to buy 35m more doses of Covid-19 vaccine