Thailand Medical Authorities Concerned About Rising Hospitalized COVID-19 Cases. 728 New Hospitalized COVID-19 Cases And 2 Deaths In Last 7 Days

Thailand Medical: Medical authorities in Thailand are concerned that COVID-19 infections are gradually rising across the country as seen by rising COVID-19 hospitalizations rates.


Thailand Medical Authorities Concerned About Rising Hospitalized COVID-19 Cases. 
 
Some Thailand Medical experts say that the country could be facing significant challenges in containing the spread of COVID-19 infections due to the emergence of new JN.1 sub-lineages such as KP.2, KQ.1, etc which are much more highly transmissible and are highly immune evasive. It is being speculated by international scientists that immunity conferred by previous SARS-CoV-2 infections or by the vaccines do not offer any protection against these newer BA.2.86 and JN.1 sub-lineages that are rapidly emerging due to high evolution and mutation rates!
 
Weekly COVID-19 Hospitalization Rate: 24th - 30th March 2024
Latest data released by the Department of Disease Control at Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health shows that for the week 24th of March to 31st of March, 2024, there were a total of 728 new COVID-19 hospitalizations and 2 Deaths.
https://www.facebook.com/informationcovid19/posts/pfbid081NjuQiKdjfbKHGNUkm89LJRGrZbjWBfQj448tPwt9NejxSsyXTe4AYJA3CbU6XSl
 
On an average there were about 104 new COVID-19 hospitalizations per day.
 
These COVID-19 hospitalization figures signify a concerning trend in the country's battle against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, indicating a higher rate of transmission and rising severity of cases
 
Many doctors and health experts are however raising doubts about the accuracy of these released figures as they feel that even the number of hospitalized cases and deaths could be far much higher.
 
Private hospitals across the country have been witnessing a rise in patients seeking outpatient care due to COVID-19 and COVID-19 admissions are also starting to gradually rise.
 
Thailand authorities do not release any data with regards to actual number of COVID-19 infections per week or about number of COVID-19 test actually conducted or about test positivity rates. Hence whatever data that is being released does not reflect the actual nature of the COVID-19 spread within the population.
 
Cumulative COVID-19 Hospitalized Cases Since January 2024
Cumulative COVID-19 hospitalized cases since January 2024 paints a broader picture of Thailand's struggle with COVID-19. Since the beginning of the year, a total of 6,966 patients have been hospitalized due to COVID-19 complications. Among these cases, there have been 62 reported deaths. These worrisome numbers underscore the persistent impact of the virus on public health and healthcare systems, necessitating continued vigilance and robust response measures.
 
The actual number of individuals actually in fected with the virus and are likely to suffer the long-term health issues of Long COVID-19 might be massive despite many being asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic.
 
Detailed Comparison with Previous Week: 17th - 23rd March 2024
In order to contextualize the current surge, it is essential to compare the data with the preceding week. Between 17th and 23rd March 2024, Thailand recorded 630 hospitalizations, averaging 90 cases per day. The week also saw five COVID-19 related deaths, averaging one death daily. This analysis reveals a substantial increase in both hospitalizations and fatalities within a short span, indicating a rapid escalation of the pandemic's impact.
 
In the week even preceding that ie 10th to 16th of March, there were only 501 hospitalized COVID-19 cases and 4 deaths.
 
Outbreak In Prison In Prachuap Khiri Khan
In recent days, a worrisome outbreak of COVID-19 infections in a provincial prison in the province of Prachuap Khiri Khan where the tourist resort of Hua Hin is located has sparked concerns among both locals and health agencies.
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/thailand-medical-officials-report-concerning-covid-19-outbreak-at-provincial-prison-in-prachuap-khiri-khan-involving-more-than-79-cases

It was not indicated if figures from that outbreak was also included in this morning’s cumulative COVID-19 statistics and also there were no updates about the situation in the province.
 
The KP.2 And KQ.1 Variants
A possible contributing factor to the escalation of COVID-19 cases is the emergence of new variants such as the newer BA.2.86 and JN.1 spawns such as KP.2 and KQ.1.
 
https://twitter.com/Mike_Honey_/status/1767387561247601130
 
https://cov-spectrum.org/explore/World/AllSamples/Past6M/variants?nextcladePangoLineage=KP.2&
 
https://cov-spectrum.org/explore/World/AllSamples/Past6M/variants?nextcladePangoLineage=KQ.1&
 
These new variants, characterized by their distinct genetic makeup, pose unique challenges to public health efforts. They exhibit increased transmissibility, resistance to existing treatments and heightened virulence, necessitating adaptive strategies in testing, treatment, and containment.
 
Strangely, Thailand has been reducing its efforts in genomic surveillance as it seems to be conducting less sequencings or is not submitting these sequences to GSAID! Hence, there is no clear perspective of what new SARS-CoV-2 variants or sub-lineages are behind this new surge in Thailand.
https://cov-spectrum.org/explore/Thailand/AllSamples/Past6M/sequencing-coverage
 
Healthcare System Strain
The surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations is starting to overwhelm Thailand's healthcare system. Some hospitals are under pressure to provide intensive care, oxygen support, and specialized treatment to a growing number of patients.
 
Local healthcare workers are also facing increased workloads, exposure risks, and emotional stress, while long COVID cases are also on the rise.
 
Mitigation Measures
Thailand authorities are taking steps to control COVID-19, with a focus on vaccination campaigns targeting priority populations and the general public. However, the lack of validated data on the effectiveness of these efforts remains a concern. Public health measures such as mask mandates, social distancing, and hygiene protocols continue to be crucial, but there is a notable lack of initiatives addressing clean air strategies.
 
Public Awareness and Adherence
Efforts to raise public awareness and ensure compliance with preventive measures are essential in containing the virus. Effective communication strategies, transparent information dissemination, and community engagement are needed to foster a sense of collective responsibility.
 
Border Control and Surveillance
Thailand's relaxation of border control and airport surveillance, driven by economic interests in tourism, has increased the risk of new COVID-19 variants entering the country. Travelers from various regions are potential vectors of infections, highlighting the need for stricter surveillance measures to protect the local population.
 
With the coming Songkran holidays and festivities, many tourist arrivals are expected and it is anticipated that COVID-19 infection rates are going to rise exponentially in the Post Songkran period.
 
Global Collaboration for Preparedness
The dynamic nature of COVID-19 emphasizes the importance of global collaboration and preparedness. Sharing data, resources, and best practices among nations is crucial for a coordinated response and enhancing preparedness for future challenges, including new variants or pandemics.
 
Conclusion and Future Outlook
Thailand faces significant challenges in managing the impact of COVID-19, including rising infections, strain on healthcare resources, and the emergence of new variants. Effective mitigation strategies, robust healthcare systems, public awareness, and global cooperation are key to navigating these challenges and building a safer, healthier future. Continued vigilance and innovation are essential in the ongoing battle against the pandemic.
 
For the latest about the COVID-19 infections in Thailand, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.