PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha has called an urgent meeting of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) at 10 a.m. tomorrow (July 9), moving it up from Monday July 12, after daily Covid cases hit a record high of 7,058 this morning with total daily fatalities also climbing to 75, Amarin TV said.
This step was taken after the Public Health Ministry suggested that measures be considered to help the public health system continue effectively taking care of the public as follows:
– 1. Approve the use of the simple rapid antigen swab test kit at hospitals that have beds for patients. If the result is negative they go home but if positive they undergo RT-PCR test. Consider allowing the use of rapid test kits at residences.
– 2. Home and community isolation with the public health system taking care of people together with the National Health Security Office. Assistance will be given on a per family basis and tools such as oximeters are being accelerated.
– 3. Strict personal measures emphasised including bubble and seal yourself, wear face masks, keep social distance, wash hands frequently and work from home.
– 4. Accelerate vaccination in risk areas such as Bangkok and its vicinity. Speed up inoculation of risk groups to reduce mortality rate. Launch a vaccination drive in Bangkok next week.
– 5. The Public Health Ministry suggested that CCSA limit travel and not allow people to leave their residence unnecessarily. They can come out to buy food and get vaccinated but places not essential for daily life should be closed but markets remain open.
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Top: Downtown Bangkok during the curfew last year. Photo: Maythee Anegboonlap (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Home Page: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. Thai headline says, “called an urgent meeting.” Photo: Amarin TV