Thai PM Srettha Thavisin tests positive for Covid-19

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has taken sick leave after testing positive for Covid-19. The announcement came yesterday evening through his Facebook page, where he revealed experiencing fatigue and a slight fever, which led him to undergo testing.

Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke reported that the Bangkok-born prime minister consulted a doctor last Friday upon noticing the symptoms. The test results confirmed the Covid infection. Medical advice has been given to the prime minister to rest until he is no longer contagious, with additional monitoring planned for the early part of this week.

The 62 year old Srettha shared the news on Facebook.

“I am currently resting and following my doctor’s advice to ensure a full recovery.”

The prime minister’s temporary absence comes at a crucial time, as the government continues to navigate the ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic. Despite his illness, the Thai PM assured the public that he remains in communication with his team and is closely monitoring the situation.

Further updates on his health and his return to duty are expected in the coming days. The government continues to urge the public to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of Covid, including vaccination and adherence to health guidelines, reported Pattaya News.

In related news, the AstraZeneca vaccine was linked to blood clots in seven Thai recipients, the Department of Disease Control announced that out of the 20 million Thai citizens who received the AstraZeneca vaccine, seven developed blood clots, with two resulting in fatalities.

These adverse effects were confirmed to occur within 42 days post-inoculation. Thongchai explained that when vaccines were first introduced in Thailand, they were authorised for emergency use to curb the spread of Covid.

The first vaccine administered was Sinovac’s inactivated virus vaccine, which at that time was not recognized by many European countries. They only permitted entry for individuals vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine.