Thai deputy health minister expects Covid-19 to be over by the end of the year

Thailand’s deputy health minister says he hopes to see an end to Covid-19 by the end of this year, despite the risk of new variants. Satit Pitutecha made his prediction yesterday, saying Thailand is proceeding with its plan to declare the virus endemic. The World Health Organisation has yet to make any recommendation on according the virus endemic status.

According to a Nation Thailand report, Satit says the health ministry is doing everything possible to meet its target for administering booster doses, which should help prevent new variants from developing. However, officials are closely watching what’s happening in North Korea, where there is a surge in infections, which could cause the virus to further mutate, creating yet another new variant.

Satit says the pandemic sparked a total change in behaviour among the public, in relation to attending large gatherings, eating out, and travel. According to a 2021 poll conducted by Suan Dusit University, 90% of 1,218 people surveyed said they had adjusted their behaviour to always wear a face mask.

The deputy health minister says remaining safe from Covid-19 requires the public to adopt the VUCA measures of vaccination, universal prevention, Covid-free settings, and ATK testing.

Earlier this week, Kiatiphum Wongrajit from the Public Health Ministry confirmed that Thailand could declare Covid-19 endemic earlier than planned. While a date of July 1 has been thrown around before, Kiatiphum says the virus could be accorded endemic status from mid-June, given the improving situation and ongoing fall in cases.

SOURCE: Nation Thailand