Thailand jumps 18 places in COVID resilience index

As Thailand began easing entry for foreign visitors, the Kingdom rose 18 places in Bloomberg’s COVID Resilience Rankings during January as a result of effective measures to contain the spread of the omicron variant.

More than a year ago, Thailand was at the top of several lists for effectively responding to COVID-19. Overtime, since the more transmissible delta and then omicron variants found their way into the Kingdom, more health measures were put in place.

While the Kingdom was initially behind the curve, the government’s measures in response have worked and case numbers have fallen dramatically. Daily fatalities have fallen to about 20 or fewer, and new infections have been low.

Bloomberg responded by raising Thailand’s score, ranking the Kingdom 26^th out of 53 countries analyzed. The news agency attributed the improvement to low infections and death rate, increased vaccination rate, and the government’s easing of restrictions. Among them has been allowing foreign visitors to enter the Kingdom without having to quarantine under the “Test and Go” program.

The COVID Resilience Ranking is a monthly review of which countries are handling the coronavirus most effectively while causing the least social and economic impact, according to Bloomberg.

It evaluates 12 data indicators, including reopening process, infection and mortality status, virus containment, healthcare quality, vaccination coverage, and quality of life and human development during the pandemic.

“The government continues to monitor the situation closely and will adjust the COVID strategy in both the short- and long-term to make sure that we can live with COVID-19 with safety while the economic development can still move forward,” said Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, a government spokesman.

Photo courtesy of: https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/covid-resilience-ranking/