COVID-19 situation in Thailand

The government, authorities, health personnel, volunteers, the private sector, and the public for their hard work and patience in the national fight against the coronavirus in Thailand have been praised for their work and dedication.

That fight appeared to be taking a more positive turn last week as the number of new infections fell significantly for several consecutive days. The peak was on March 22 when authorities said 188 new cases had been reported. Last Thursday, the number was 29, while in the previous few days, the numbers had been in the 30s.

As of April 19, 2020, public health officials said Thailand had recorded 2,765 COVID-19 cases since January, with 47 deaths, and 1,999 patients who had recovered after hospitalization. However, 719 remain in the hospital. On Thursday, 96 patients recovered.

To contain the spread of COVID-19, the government has prescribed a robust set of measures. They include shutting down airports and other international gateways, imposing a 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew since April 3, encouraging all but non-essential workers to stay home, and urging the public to adopt social distancing practices.

The government ordered malls, pubs, entertainment, and sports venues to shutter, while restaurants are only permitted to accept takeaway or delivery orders.

Some provinces have banned sales of alcohol and mandated that people wear facemasks if they leave their homes.

The flattening of the curve has prompted some people to call on the government to ease up on some of its prohibitions. The government has been standing firm.

“If we relax the measure today, negative repercussions are possible in the next 14 days. The relaxation should not happen too soon,” said Dr. Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for the government’s Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration.

The government has also been providing financial assistance in the form of payments to workers who have lost their jobs because of the pandemic. Also, 52 universities are reducing fees to help their students because their families are in economic distress.

Photo courtesy of https://twitter.com/prdthailand