Over 2,000 medical personnel contracted Covid in Jan
A total of 2,025 medical personnel were infected with Covid-19 in January, around 66 people per day on average, Dr Thira Woratanarat from Chulalongkorn University posted on his Facebook page on Monday.
He said the number of the Omicron variant BA.2 cases had increased after they were infected with BA.1, while the number of new cases in South Africa is stable.
He said the increase in BA.2 cases was in line with research that it was more contagious than BA.1. However, BA.2 is no more likely to escape immunity than BA.1, according to current information. The information on severity and reinfection is not enough at the moment, he said.
Thira added that each country should be able to analyse the cause and fix it after learning from the past to create an efficient system and mechanism.
The process of deciding on a crisis must be based on empirical data and knowledge of international standards.
Thira said every citizen must have the right to access in-depth information on policies and measures. They will not understand the effect of the decision if they do not have enough information.
He added that there must be inspection and a balancing mechanism for the government which is responsible for citizens’ health, welfare and safety. Society will be able to handle a crisis in the future if we have this mechanism and citizens have information. Citizens will be able to take care of themselves and become a health-literate society.
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Meanwhile, a virology expert posted on his Facebook page on Sunday that even half a dose of an mRNA booster yielded the same result as a full dose.
Yong said the mRNA booster dose after two doses of inactivated vaccines offered high immunity. He cited an Oxford study and by many countries including Brazil, Chile and Indonesia.
He said many foreign countries gave only half a dose or 50 micrograms of Moderna vaccine as the booster dose.
Yong suggested increasing the use of Moderna vaccines in Thailand to reduce the side-effects. Currently, people are administered 30mcg of the Pfizer vaccine. Ideally, people should receive a full dose of vaccine if adequate stocks are available, he said.
