Covid surge presents no cause for panic, officials assure public
Catching Up with the Latest Covid-19 Scene in Thailand
Lately, there have been whispers of a potential resurgence of Covid-19 in the heart of Thailand. However,Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin is urging the citizens not to worry, reminding us that the disease is now considered endemic.
Despite the persistently high case numbers, Minister Somsak assures us that the virus usually causes mild symptoms for most. According to the recent data, from January 1 to May 10, a total of 53,676 Covid-19 cases and 16 deaths have been reported in the country.
Unsurprisingly, Bangkok stands as the city with the most infections, recording a staggering 16,723 cases. Interestingly, the peak was during the week of April 27 to May 3, where a whopping 14,349 cases were reported, and a couple of unfortunate deaths were added to the count.
Other provinces were not left behind in the count, with Chon Buri, Nonthaburi and Rayong registering 1,177, 866, and 553 cases respectively.
Luckily, the new infections have shown a decline to 12,543 in the week of May 4-10, suggesting a downward trend.
Seasonal factors and mass gatherings, as per Minister Somsak, have been driving the infection rates. "Covid-19 is now a year-round endemic disease. While it spreads easily, its severity has decreased," he said, emphasizing that there's no need for panic. However, everyone must remain vigilant and follow public health measures such as mask-wearing.
The minister also outlined the steps to take when suspecting Covid-19 symptoms, starting from immediate testing using an ATK kit when symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat or fatigue occur. If the test result is positive, infected individuals must isolate themselves, wear a mask, avoid contact with others, especially the elderly, pregnant women, and patients with underlying chronic diseases, and follow hygiene protocols. Those with severe symptoms should seek medical attention promptly, he advised.
Sources:
- Thai Ministry of Public Health
- Bangkok Post
- The Nation Thailand
- World Health Organization
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