Global Courant 2023-04-16 15:52:15
Authorities in Thailand and Indonesia are bracing for a holiday-induced spike in Covid-19 cases and as a new, more contagious and potentially virulent mutation of the Omicron variant emerges.
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) said on Sunday it expects the number of Covid-19 infections to rise following Songkran celebrations that marked Thai New Year last week.
It was the first time the festivities went into full swing after three years of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha himself turning up unannounced on Bangkok’s famous Khaosan Road and getting drenched as he took part in a of the world’s greatest water battles.
DDC director-general Thares Krasanairawiwong told the Bangkok Post that the number of cases after Songkran may be higher than after New Year, when measures against Covid-19 were relaxed.
Those who participated in the three-day Songkran did not have to be tested for the corona virus and most no longer wore face masks.
The celebrations include paying respect to elders and sprinkling water over Buddha statues.
But Songkran is also a chance for younger Thais and foreigners to indulge in a bit of booze-fuelled revelry.
Huge water battles took place in Bangkok at nearly 200 official locations, with smaller skirmishes in neighborhoods across the city as residents welcomed a return to normalcy after years of harsh Covid-19 measures.
Dr. Thares reported 435 new cases of Covid-19 were admitted to hospitals for treatment between April 9 and 15, according to the Bangkok Post.
This was almost three times higher than the previous week. Thirty had pneumonia and 19 were put on a ventilator. Two died.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, meanwhile, urged anyone joining the Aidilfitri “exodus” this week to complete their Covid-19 injections before leaving, following the discovery of two imported cases of the XBB.1.16 – also known as “Arcturus” – an Omicron sub-variant.
With most travel restrictions lifted, some 120 million Indonesians are expected to head out to celebrate Aidilfitri. This is probably the largest wave since the start of the pandemic in 2020.
“The most important thing is vaccination and booster (injections), so those who haven’t done it should do it,” Widodo told reporters on Thursday.
“Those who have not been vaccinated should be careful,” he added.
“They urgently need to get their (vaccinations) so that everyone is safe from Covid-19.”
The Jakarta Post reported that 174 million Indonesians have completed their primary vaccinations on Thursday and 68 million have already received their first booster dose.
Indonesia has seen a slight increase in its Covid-19 caseload, reporting more than 900 cases a day since Tuesday, the paper said.
“There is a slight increase,” acknowledged Mr Widodo, but stressed that the daily numbers are still well below the 8,000 infections per day that the World Health Organization (WHO) considers worrying.
