223 Covid-19 patients currently in critical condition
Covid-19’s recent rapid spread, with more than 1000 new cases a day consistently, 223 infected patients are now in critical condition. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration points out that the number of dire cases is in line with the increase in cases, pointing out that as Coronavirus cases spread, we will see over time an increase in critical condition cases as well as Covid-19 deaths. With over 16,000 infections in the month of April, all figures are expected to rise.
The third wave of Covid-19 has hit Thailand exponentially harder than the first two waves, and hospitals are filling up. There are currently 13,169 people being treated at hospitals, both public and private, and 2,950 being treated at field hospitals that have been set up in provinces with the most overwhelming outbreaks. Of the over 200 patients in critical condition, 55 are currently breathing with the aid of a ventilator.
The surge in Covid-19 infections leading to the rise in critical condition cases is largely attributed to just 9 main clusters throughout the country. Outbreaks at entertainment venues were the most prominent source, with clusters in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Sa Kaeo, and Songkla all being traced back to nightlife spots, along with the cluster from the Kolour festival in Phuket. The other 2 major outbreaks began at a football match in Nakhon Si Thammarat and a prison in Narathiwat.
On a brighter note though, death rates in this latest outbreak are falling, so the outlook is a little better for critical condition cases. The year-long first wave of Covid-19 that lasted from January to December 2020 saw a death rate of 1.42%. The second wave centred around the Samut Sakhon markets saw much lower fatality rates at only 0.14%, while this current outbreak has dropped to 0.09%. That means that, while Thailand has now had over 45,000 infections, the 108 fatalities are a 0.24% overall death rate. Comparably, the global death rate is estimated to be 3.4% with over 3 million deaths worldwide. The CCSA attributes this low rate to Thailand’s hospitals and medical facilities being successful and effective in controlling infections, stopping them from becoming serious and leading to death.
SOURCE: Thai Enquirer
