The COVID-2019 Thread

[tomcat]

...***now this***

Thailand offers vaccines to Americans, Aussies, Austrians, Kiwis. (But you’ve already missed out.)

By Coconuts Bangkok Jul 17, 2021 | 12:37pm Bangkok time (News | Coconuts Bangkok)

• 
  A French national is vaccinated in a photo posted July 2 by the French Embassy. Photo: French Embassy
• For a brief moment, Americans, Aussies, Austrians and Kiwis were offered access to COVID-19 vaccines by the Thai government – but blink, and you missed it.

The U.S. Embassy this morning joined other missions in finally offering a response to complaints they have done nothing to get shots into the arms of their citizens abroad under what appears to have been a hastily arranged arrangement.
People were given mere hours to register for a limited supply of AstraZeneca doses that seemed to quickly run out. Those not monitoring social media were unlikely to ever have a realistic chance of participating; the doses reserved for Americans ran out very quickly, according to the online registration form.

“The Thai Government has informed the U.S. Embassy that it is offering U.S. citizens in Thailand the opportunity to be vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine at 4 p.m. this Sunday,” the embassy said in a bulletin sent at about 8:30am this morning to Americans in Thailand.
For Australians, registration remained available as of noon Saturday for 1pm on Sunday, but Ambassador Allan McKinnon said registrations would be rejected after 10am.

As noted by Twitterlord Richard Barrow, Austrians have until 2pm on Saturday to register by email for one of 100 doses. They can do so by email.

New Zealanders had until noon on Saturday to register via email.

The vaccinations will take place at 4pm on Sunday afternoon at SCG Headquarters in Bangkok’s northern Bang Sue district. Anyone who has not received a registration confirmation will be turned away.

Nothing’s really known yet on how the hastily arranged date came to be, nor whether additional appointments will be added.
U.S. Embassy representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But they didn’t seem to have many answers either, according to their announcement:

“This is a limited opportunity offered by the Thai Government. We do not know when/if similar opportunities will arise again in the future.”

And it is unlikely to satisfy critics who point to successful efforts by other governments to inoculate their citizens abroad.
French Ambassador Thierry Mathou noted in a bulletin this morning that his government had vaccinated “thousands” of French nationals over 55 with Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose Jannsen vaccine.

China reportedly made vaccines available to its citizens living in Thailand as well.

Thailand’s sluggish mass vaccination campaign has stalled out and is beset with supply issues amid a rapidly worsening outbreak.
Today saw record-high numbers of deaths — 141 — and infections, which crested 10,000 for the first time.


...so it seems, once again, the reason for the fu*k up is local planning...

[harrybarracuda]

[tomcat]

...^those tags need to be in Thai...

[harrybarracuda]

And so it begins...

An unidentified overseas visitor has tested positive for Covid-19 at the Tokyo Olympics athletes' village, organizers said on Saturday -- the first such case amid concerns the Games could become a super-spreader event.

First case of Covid-19 reported at Tokyo Olympic Athletes Village - CNN

[harrybarracuda]

Good news really, virtually all of these fatalities are most likely Republitard voters.

More than 99% of recent deaths were among the unvaccinated, infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said earlier this month on NBC's Meet the Pres , while Walensky noted on Friday that unvaccinated people accounted for over 97% of hospitalizations.

COVID-19 Deaths Are Rising, And 99% Of Them Are People Who Are Unvaccinated : NPR

[harrybarracuda]

Well the ceiling has been broken.

Record 141 new Covid-19 fatalities and 10,082 cases were reported on Saturday, according to the Public Health Ministry reported on Saturday morning.

Record 141 Covid deaths, 10,082 cases

[harrybarracuda]

Well fuck.

US CDC detects first case of monkeypox “imported“ from Nigeria

US CDC detects first case of monkeypox “imported“ from Nigeria - The NEWS

[tomcat]

Well fuck.

...a little supplementary info to take our minds off of covid for a minute:

(WaPo) Dallas County health authorities are reporting a case of rare monkeypox virus in an individual who traveled from Nigeria to Dallas. The person, a Dallas city resident, is hospitalized and in stable condition, according to a statement Friday from the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working with Delta Air Lines and state and local health officials to contact airline passengers and others who may have been in contact with the patient during two flights: from Lagos, Nigeria, to Atlanta on July 8, with arrival July 9; and Atlanta to Dallas Love Field Airport on July 9. Public health authorities said they have identified and are in contact with individuals who were in direct contact with the patient.

Travelers were required to wear masks on the flights as well as in the U.S. airports because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“Therefore, it’s believed the risk of spread of monkeypox via respiratory droplets to others on the planes and in the airports is low,” the Dallas County statement said.

Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious viral illness that typically begins with flu-like symptoms and swelling of the lymph nodes, progressing to a widespread rash on the face and body. Most infections last two to four weeks. Monkeypox is in the same family of viruses as smallpox but causes a milder infection.

In this case, CDC laboratory testing showed the patient is infected with a strain of monkeypox most commonly seen in parts of West Africa, including Nigeria. Infections with this strain are fatal in about 1 in 100 people, according to a CDC statement. However, rates can be higher in people with weakened immune systems. There is no proven safe treatment for monkeypox virus infection.

[harrybarracuda]

Ungrateful bastards. Put them back in Red!

Brits have been banned from travelling to Bulgaria amid concerns about rising Covid-19 cases.
The ban comes into effect on Monday – when Bulgaria, Croatia, Hong Kong and Taiwan will be moved onto the UK’s green list for quarantine-free travel.

Bulgaria bans British tourists as country goes on UK’s green list | Metro News

[misskit]

...^those tags need to be in Thai...

Sadly true.

Spoke with two friends who had been signed up for AZ vaccines, one in Chiang Mai and one in Uttaradit. The one in Chiang Mai got to her appointment and was told they only had Sinovac. She refused. The one in Uttaradit was told when he showed up that no vaccines were available and didn’t know when they would have any.

[harrybarracuda]

So how long will these people be able to hang on to everyone's money I wonder?

Not everyone who booked and paid for Moderna vaccines will get them. Private hospitals have 9.2 million bookings but will get just 3.9 million of the first batch of 5 million jabs.

Moderna shots to be allotted

[harrybarracuda]

This will fly over the heads of all the idiots who think they know better.

As in many other hospitals, the number of patients being treated for Covid-19 in Bradford Royal Infirmary is sharply rising. About half of them had chosen not to be vaccinated, says Dr John Wright - which many now deeply regret.

"I was offered the vaccine, but I was arrogant," says Faisal Bashir, a super-fit 54-year-old.

"I was going to the gym, cycling, walking and running. Given that I was strong and healthy I didn't think I needed it. That also meant that if it turned out not to be safe I wouldn't have taken any risks.

"But the truth was that I couldn't avoid the virus. It still got me. I don't know how or where."

Faisal, who was discharged on Wednesday after a week in hospital receiving oxygen, is keen to warn others not to make his mistake.

"What I've experienced in hospital - the care and expertise - humbles me," he says.

"People are filling the hospitals by taking chances and it's wrong. I feel terrible. I feel so bad about it and I hope by speaking out it helps others avoid this."

Coronavirus doctor'''s diary: Unvaccinated patients with many regrets - BBC News

[Joe 90]

It's a scary time in the UK at the moment.
Lockdown restrictions ending its gonna be like Russian roulette. I'll keep using my face mask and keep away from crowded places for the foreseeable.

[sabang]

Things are getting tetchy in Sydney. The south west of Sydney are confined to quarters- no leaving the council district, no going to work, businesses closed. Lebanese drug dealers have been demonstrating the violation of their human rights. Arrests have been made. Melbourne is back in lockdown too.

[PAG]

Today's numbers.

[harrybarracuda]

Looks like the chinkies are laying the groundwork for a switch to a proper vaccine.

China is the only major economy in the world not to approve or distribute COVID-19 vaccines that use the mRNA technology proven to be one of the most effective tools in preventing the spread of COVID-19. But China’s mRNA stance may be changing.

On Thursday, Chinese media outlet Caixin reported that Chinese regulators had completed a review of the COVID-19 jab developed by German mRNA vaccine maker BioNTech and distributed locally via China’s Fosun Pharma. Fosun is still awaiting final approval from regulators, but, once approved, Fosun could deploy the 100 million doses it acquired from BioNTech last December to the Chinese market by the end of 2021.

The approval would also unlock Fosun’s capacity to produce 1 billion more BioNTech shots domestically per year, part of the deal Fosun and BioNTech struck in May to make a new joint venture company in China.
The anticipated approval is a long time coming.

Fosun has been applying to get the BioNTech vaccine approved in the Chinese market since at least last November, when BioNTech and its other global distributor Pfizer first announced clinical data showing that the mRNA vaccine was effective against COVID-19. The Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine has since gained approval from the World Health Organization and has proved to be highly effective, including against the Delta variant, in halting outbreaks and preventing deaths related to COVID-19 in real-world settings.

China’s delayed approval of the BioNTech jab is likely due, in part, to the government publicly casting doubt on the usefulness of mRNA vaccines earlier this year and the promotion of its homegrown alternatives.

But the recent rise of the COVID-19 Delta variant may be pushing Beijing to change tack. Amid Delta-driven COVID-19 outbreaks, foreign governments appear to be losing some confidence in the performance of Chinese vaccines compared with mRNA vaccines from companies like BioNTech and Moderna. And Beijing may be coming around to the idea that an mRNA vaccine could bolster its own pandemic response and ease its long-awaited border reopening.

https://fortune.com/2021/07/16/china...h-fosun-doses/

[harrybarracuda]

More on the Olympics:

The Tokyo Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games announced on the 18th that two athletes from overseas staying in the Olympic Village ( Chuo-ku, Tokyo ) tested positive for the new coronavirus . This is the first time that an infection has been confirmed for athletes staying in the Olympic Village .

https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASP7L...oronavirus_top

[harrybarracuda]

Humorous quote of the day. Does he think all Thais are illiterate?

“The government will speed up securing as many vaccines as we can from everywhere and we’ve never blocked the private sector from securing alternative vaccines," Prayuth said on Facebook, addressing some of the criticism of his management of the crisis.

Thailand tightens restrictions as daily virus cases top 10,000 - Japan Today


( For context: )

BANGKOK, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Thai tourism operators and hospitals said on Wednesday they planned to lodge a protest against a government move to curb private imports of COVID-19 vaccines, marking an apparent turnaround in policy by authorities. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha had previously said the private sector could import vaccines as long as they were approved by and registered with the Thai Food and Drug Administration.

But this week, businesses were notified that only the government could import and administer the vaccine in the “first phase” of inoculations, citing the need to closely follow up with patients on side-effects.

“We are lodging a protest against this through the private hospital and tourism associations,” Boon Vanasin, the chairman of private hospital operator, Thonburi Healthcare Group Pcl , told Reuters, urging the government not to monopolize vaccinations.

UPDATE 1-Thai businesses protest move to stop private vaccine imports | Reuters

[harrybarracuda]

Seems a bit silly doing it the day before you open up.

Every adult in the UK has been offered a dose of a Covid vaccine, in a major milestone for the nation ahead of the easing of restrictions.

It comes just ahead of Boris Johnson's bid to offer a dose to all people aged 18 and over before 19 July, when the vast majority of England's Covid-related restrictions will end.


Two in three adults have also been jabbed, a target the Government wanted to hit before entering Step Four of the roadmap out of lockdown.

All UK adults have been offered a Covid vaccine ahead of 19 July unlocking - LBC

[Joe 90]

So called worker camps in Bangkok have turned into concentration camps.

People are desperate for help!

[cyrille]

COVID-19 Data Explorer - Our World in Data

[Klondyke]

Vaccinated people now make up almost 47% of all new Covid cases, symptom-tracking app claims amid signs Britain’s third Covid wave may have peaked already

King's College London scientists estimated 33,118 people were catching the virus every day last week

For comparison, they said 33,723 people were getting infected every day during the previous spell

Professor Tim Spector, who leads the app, said cases were 'plateauing' across the country

15 July 2021

Vaccinated Britons now make up almost half of Covid cases in the country, a symptom-tracking study suggested today — but there are signs the third wave may have already peaked.

King's College London scientists estimated 33,118 people were catching the virus daily in the week ending July 10, compared to 33,723 in the previous seven-day spell.

But 47 per cent of cases are among those who have received at least one dose of the Covid vaccine, surging upwards from around a quarter at the start of June.

This does not mean the jabs do not work. Scientists have always been honest that they are not perfect and millions will still be vulnerable to infection even after getting both doses.

Infections are rising fastest among young Britons — many of whom have only received one dose. But the ZOE app counts these people as 'vaccinated' even though they are not yet fully protected by two doses. A second dose of all vaccines has been shown to be much more effective than a first dose against the Indian 'Delta' variant.

Professor Tim Spector, who leads the study run with health-technology firm ZOE, said the shift in trend was likely because the virus was 'running out' of non-jabbed Britons to infect, with nearly 90 per cent of adults having now received at least one dose.

Studies show a single dose is less effective at preventing infection, although it still drastically slashes the risk of hospitalisation and death. Jabs are also slightly weaker against the Indian variant, which triggered the third wave.

It comes after a study last night suggested elderly Brits given AstraZeneca's vaccine are less likely to have Covid antibodies than those who had Pfizer's. Rigorous trials also showed the British-made jab was slightly weaker.

Coronavirus cases were rising rapidly throughout June, with the easing of restrictions blamed for sparking a third wave — although some scientists believe Euro 2020 led to a surge in infections.

Infections in Scotland have halved in the past fortnight, according to estimates by the King's app. The fall, which coincided with the national team being knocked out of the major football tournament early, has fuelled hope that England's outbreak will eventually fall, too.

Professor Spector said they were seeing infections 'plateau' across the country but the rate of decline was slower than during the second wave. Earlier this week, he predicted they may have already peaked.

Despite the claims that cases have hit peaked, official figures show the UK is on the brink of breaching the 50,000 case mark, meaning infections are closing in on levels seen during the darkest days of the second wave.

Some 48,533 positive tests were registered today, up by 49.2 per cent on last week and the highest figure since January 14 (48,682). Deaths have risen by 80 per cent in a week, with today's count (63) the most since 70 were posted on March 26.

Read more
Vaccinated people now make up almost 47% of all new Covid cases, symptom-tracking app claims | Daily Mail Online

[Grumpy John]

I posted something about the Fizer vaccine as reported from Israel but it would appear I am not allowed to have a say on many things...including this one!

[Shutree]

Looks like the chinkies are laying the groundwork for a switch to a proper vaccine.

In part that answers my question about what will happen with the Delta variant in China.

[Switch]

2021

Vaccinated Britons now make up almost half of Covid cases in the country, a symptom-tracking study suggested today — but there are signs the third wave may have already peaked.

I explained the reasons for this already.
Absolutely the last thing you need is theGuardian telling you what to think. …. and do try to keep up.