Thailand reports first case of African variant Covid

Most of Thailand’s new cases emerged in the last two months.

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANGKOK – Thailand reported 143 new Covid-19 cases on Monday (15/2). In addition, in the midst of quarantine Thailand found the first case of the highly contagious variant of Covid-19, which was first discovered in South Africa, as reported by the coronavirus task force.

Two new deaths from the virus were also found, bringing the total deaths to 82. The total number of cases of infection was 24,714 in Thailand, with the majority of cases found in the last two months.

The variant that was first found in south Africa it was first discovered in a man from Thailand who had traveled from Tanzania. It is implementing mandatory quarantine for all migrants from abroad, the task force said at a briefing.

South Africa has postponed plans to begin distribution of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine, which Thailand will use for its mass immunization program, after data showed the vaccine provided minimum protection against infections at mild to moderate levels.

South African scientists say there is no clear evidence as to whether the new variant is linked to more severe disease or worse outcomes. But scientists say the variant spreads more quickly.

A World Health Organization panel last week said the AstraZeneca vaccine had to be distributed even further. This includes countries where the South African variant might reduce its efficacy.

source: Between

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