Thailand Ministry of Health reports 14,994 new COVID-19 cases and an additional 124 deaths since yesterday. The ministry also announced an additional 23,524 patients recovered from the COVID-19 virus.
15 provinces aim to declare COVID as endemic but require the approval of the Ministry of Public Health’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). Dr. Suthep Petchmak, inspector-general of the ministry, said that approval is necessary before making any announcement.
He didn’t say who the 15 were, but Songkhla was one of them. Because 80 percent of the population has got a Covid-19 vaccine and 30 percent has received boosters, the southern province is ready to declare Covid-19 endemic.
Dr. Kiattiphum Wongrajit, permanent-secretary for public health informed Dr. Suthep Petchmark of this requirement. The Department of Disease Control has already drafted the criteria but was not yet discussed them with EOC.
According to the National Communicable Disease Committee, provinces with less than 10,000 new cases per day and a death rate of less than 0.1 percent can be designated as endemic. Another need is that over 80% of persons who are at risk have received coronavirus vaccination doses. Dr. Suthep believes Covid-19 will be labeled an endemic disease by July 1 if no new coronavirus variants develop.
Meanwhile, Kittipong Kittikachorn, the director of Suvarnabhumi Airport, said the airport will examine extending its ability to accept more international passengers from other organizations.
Health restrictions have been removed by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. International arrivals are expected to increase beginning May 1, and the airport wants to avoid overcrowding, according to Mr. Kittipong.
The country is currently monitoring the post-Songkran wave as it tries to ensure that it is on track to declare that the disease is endemic by July 1.