World
Two passengers of virus-hit cruise ship die in Japan
Two elderly passengers of the Diamond Princess, the coronavirus-stricken cruise ship which spent two weeks in quarantine in Japan’s Yokohama Harbour, have died. State broadcaster NHK made the announcement this morning, as a second group of passengers began disembarking after fourteen days quarantined onboard. The passengers were both Japanese, a man and woman in their 80s.
More than 620 of the passengers on the Diamond Princess, which was quarantined on February 3 with about 3,700 people on board, have been infected. It represents the largest cluster of infections outside of China’s Hupei province, the epicentre of the outbreak.
Meanwhile, Beijing reported a significant drop in new coronavirus cases today, fuelling hopes the epidemic is nearing its peak. The death toll in China rose to 2,118 yesterday as 114 more people died, but health officials reported the lowest number of new cases there in nearly a month, including in hard-hit Hubei. More than 74,000 people have been infected in China and hundreds more in some 25 countries, with Iran reporting two deaths yesterday, the first fatalities in the Middle East.
The rapid spread of the disease has sparked criticism of authorities in Japan, which has well over half of he world’s confirmed cases outside of China, just months before Tokyo is to host the Summer Olympics.
Japan’s health minister today defended Japan’s response in the Japanese parliament, telling lawmakers that officials have taken expert advice and responded to issues on a daily basis. In a move to reassure the public, the health ministry also issued a statement in both English and Japanese saying all passengers had been required to stay in their cabins since February 5 to contain the virus.
About 500 passengers were set to disembark today, while another 100 people will leave for chartered flights home, a health ministry official said. An initial batch of passengers who had tested negative and shown no symptoms left the vessel yesterday. Those who shared a room with people testing positive were required to remain in quarantine, as were crew. The ministry could not confirm how many people remained on board, or when disembarkation would be complete.
Earlier in the week, the United States evacuated more than 300 nationals on two chartered flights. About 45 remained on board the cruise ship as of today. All Americans flown back will face another 14 days quarantine, as will returning Hong Kong residents. Disembarked Japanese passengers, however, face no such restrictions, which has sparked concern. Japan’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) says “there should be no problem” if people have shown no symptoms for 14 days and tested negative for the virus while their health was under surveillance.
SOURCE: Reuters
📱 Download our app on Android or iOS for instant updates on your mobile
📧 Subscribe to our daily email newsletter
👍 Like/Follow us on Facebook
🔔 Subscribe to or Join our YouTube channel for daily video updates
Find more SE Asian News courtesy of Thaiger.
Broke? Find employment in Southeast Asia with JobCute Thailand. Rich? Invest in real estate across Asia with FazWaz Property Group. Even book medical procedures worldwide with MyMediTravel, all powered by DB Ventures.
The situation continues to be quite fluid. But if you need to travel at this time, here are the latest restrictions in the red and orange zone provinces. If you planning on travelling, you need to get acquainted with the latest restrictions in your destination province, and you should check if you need additional travel documents.
The could change at any time, so if you are going to be doing any travelling (the government are advising against it), you should get your paperwork ready in advance.
Provincial governors are also being given latitude by the central government to upscale any of the restrictions to meet local situations.
The infographic was compiled by the NBT.
📱 Download our app on Android or iOS for instant updates on your mobile
📧 Subscribe to our daily email newsletter
👍 Like/Follow us on Facebook
🔔 Subscribe to or Join our YouTube channel for daily video updates
Coronavirus (Covid-19)
No room at the inn – Bangkok hospitals turning away people seeking Covid tests
Today’s drop in newly reported infections by the CCSA has dampened Thai’s desire for a Covid test in and around Bangkok. Now, many hospitals around the city are restricting the numbers of patients tested. And if you want to be tested, Thai or foreigner, you better be ready to pay for it.
Thai Enquirer is reporting that at least 3 private hospitals are not accepting new Covid patients, including BNH Hospital, Praram 9 Hospital and Paolo Hospital in Phaholyotin. But even the latter, who had received a new batch of test kits, said they will take walk-ins but only from 0800 – 1700. The cost at Paolo Hospital is 4,500 baht.
According to Thai Enquirer, the city’s public hospitals are also limiting the number of new Covid tests. Thammasat University Hospital and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital are doing tests but only on who they consider ‘at-risk’ communities, and only 100 tests per day. Taksin Hospital, on the west side of the Chao Phraya, is providing free Covid testing but, again, only people they consider ‘at-risk’ patients. None of them are providing the popular drive-through services. For the majority of the hospitals charging, costs for the tests are between 4,000 – 6,000 baht, depending on the patients and their perceived risk levels.
293 new infections were detected in Bangkok over the past 24 reporting period. 210 more cases were reported from provinces directly adjacent to Bangkok. Around the country there were 1,390 new cases reported this morning, down on yesterday and Saturday’s numbers but still well in excess of the numbers being reported in Thailand’s first and second waves.
📱 Download our app on Android or iOS for instant updates on your mobile
📧 Subscribe to our daily email newsletter
👍 Like/Follow us on Facebook
🔔 Subscribe to or Join our YouTube channel for daily video updates
The NBT has published an infographic including all the provincial data on new Covid infections over the past 24 hours in Thailand. Note that some of the data is released by the provinces one day but not reported by the CCSA as a national tally until the following day.
Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Chon Buri, again, lead the way with the latest report. The provinces around Bangkok also feature heavily with today’s numbers. 63 of the country’s 77 provinces have all reported additional cases in the past 24 hours.
The CCSA earlier reported a total of 1,390 new Covid infections today. The tally is a welcome drop in new case reports after the last 5 days’ record levels of new infections. Yesterday there were 1,767 new infections reported.
3 more people have died of Covid-related illnesses, 14,851 people remain under state supervision.
📱 Download our app on Android or iOS for instant updates on your mobile
📧 Subscribe to our daily email newsletter
👍 Like/Follow us on Facebook
🔔 Subscribe to or Join our YouTube channel for daily video updates
THAILAND NEWS TODAY | Slight drop in new cases, Pattaya Pit Bull aftermath, Australia and NZ travel bubble | April 19
Current list of restrictions for provinces around Thailand
Thailand’s 3rd wave wreaks havoc on the Tourism Restart Plan – where are we now?
No room at the inn – Bangkok hospitals turning away people seeking Covid tests
Thailand provincial figures for Monday’s Covid cases
Survey underway as experts attempt to save James Bond island from erosion
Covid UPDATE: 1,390 new infections, 3 new deaths
Hospital in north-east suspends non-urgent treatment after patient dies of Covid-19
Australia and New Zealand welcome the first passengers in the southern travel bubble
Thai Health Ministry insists Chinese vaccine is effective, despite social media claims
Doctors in India see alarming rise in severe Covid symptoms in younger patients
Bitcoin sheds nearly 15% of its ‘value’ in one day
Thai government urges people to work from home where possible
Teen crashes motorbike into parked car while looking at phone
Man missing several days found dead in temple well
Sawasdee pi mai – The four days of Songkran 2021
Thailand looks at proposal to make it easier for expats and long-termers
Phuket begs Kolour attendees to come for Covid-19 testing
UK variant more contagious but not more deadly – Lancet study
UPDATE: Field hospitals being established in Covid hot zones around Thailand
Thailand stocking up on Covid-19 drugs, private jabs may arrive later this year
Bangkok sees 7.87 million vehicles over Songkran holiday
Alcohol sales may be banned in restaurants, but no lockdown for now
Officials investigating woman’s alleged attempt to sell national parkland for 350 million baht
Chon Buri adds 99 new Covid-19 infections today
Denmark becomes first country in Europe to ditch AstraZeneca vaccine
Songkran holiday eerily quiet after Covid mutes celebrations
Bangkok police tracking down owners of Thong Lor clubs where virus resurfaced
Burmese students to hold Bangkok cultural event to support Civil Disobedience Movement
New restrictions for domestic flights effective along with other nationwide restrictions today
Thailand News Today | Thai Airways in rehab, All go for Songkran | March 4
Phuket’s nightlife. Yes, bars and clubs are still open | VIDEO
Thailand News Today | Covid passport talks, Thai Airways heads to court | March 2
Phuket Thai food treats you need to try | VIDEO
Thailand News Today | Bars, pubs and restaurants ‘sort of’ back to normal | Feb 23
In search of Cat & Dog Cafés in Phuket Town | VIDEO
Thailand News Today | Gambling crackdown, Seafood market to reopen, Vlogger challenge | Jan 21
Thailand News Today | Covid testing for visas, Business impact, Vaccine approval | January 19
Thailand News Today | Weekend Bangkok bombs, Thailand fires, Covid update | January 18
Thailand News Today | Stray car on runway, Indonesian quake, 300 baht tourist fee | January 15
Thailand News Today | Governor off respirator, sex-trafficking arrest, condo prices falling | January 14
Thailand News Today | Chinese vaccine, Thailand ‘drug hub’, Covid update | January 13
Thailand News Today | Bangkok may ease restrictions, Phuket bar curfew, Vaccine roll out | January 12
Thailand News Today | Covid latest, Cockfights closed down, Bryde’s Whale beached | January 11
Thailand News Today | Southern floods, Face mask fines, Thai Air Asia woes | January 8
-
Coronavirus (Covid-19)3 days agoPhuket begs Kolour attendees to come for Covid-19 testing
-
Eastern Thailand3 days agoOfficials investigating woman’s alleged attempt to sell national parkland for 350 million baht
-
Bangkok4 days agoBangkok sees 7.87 million vehicles over Songkran holiday
-
Coronavirus (Covid-19)3 days agoAlcohol sales may be banned in restaurants, but no lockdown for now
-
Thailand1 day agoNew restrictions for domestic flights effective along with other nationwide restrictions today
-
Bangkok2 days agoBangkok is now a red zone. Government gives people today to get back from Songkran break.
-
Coronavirus (Covid-19)3 days agoThai Health Ministry predicts 5 likely Covid outcomes post-Songkran, warns of risks posed by partying
-
Coronavirus (Covid-19)3 days agoCovid UPDATE: 1,582 new infections announced, more restrictions on the way