Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will speed up active finding of COVID-19 cases among potential and risk groups in factories and markets across the capital.
BMA’s Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (BMA-CCSA) held a meeting (no.10/2021) recently to follow up the COVID-19 epidemic situation in Bangkok. The meeting was presided by Pol. Lt. Gen. Sopon Pisuttiwong, BMA Deputy Governor and BMA-CCSA Director with participants from BMA executives, BMA spokespersons, as well as representatives from BMA departments, Metropolitan Police Headquarters and Bangkok Internal Security Operations Command, district zones, and related agencies under the BMA.
Pol.Capt. Pongsakorn Kwanmuang, BMA Spokesman, revealed that 14 new confirmed cases were detected on Jan 14, 2021, and the new cases were declining. Key factor contributed to the decline of new COVID patients was the imposing of three BMA’s Announcements on the Order of Temporary Closure of Premises No. 14 on Dec 29, 2020; No. 15 on Jan 3, 2021; and No. 16 on Jan 5, 2021.
At present, the BMA can control the outbreak situation. Prior to this, the number of cases had increased because many people traveled to risk areas or entertainment venues. Currently, the BMA also conducted a finding of new COVID-19 cases among more than 10,000 samples using nasopharyngeal swabs and saliva testing. From now on, the BMA will continuously speed up active finding of COVID-19 cases as much as possible.
The BMA spokesman also mentioned that the COVID-19 vaccines, which will be given to Thai people as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha clearly reiterated that all Thais would be vaccinated to prevent Covid-19.
The first in line will be healthcare and medical personnel according to the disease control guidelines as they are working closely with patients. Regarding side effects from the vaccines, medical professionals are working together to determine which vaccines to be used. Regarding the procuring of the vaccines, if the Royal Thai Government cannot allocate budget for purchasing COVID-19 vaccines, the BMA is ready to allocate its budget for the people of Bangkok. However, at present, all countries around the world are in need of vaccines while total manufacturing capacity is limited. Therefore, it takes time to order a purchase for COVID-19 vaccines. Therefore, Ministry of Public Health as well as the BMA Health Department and Medical Services Department have discussed on how to import good and effective COVID-19 vaccines to vaccinate all Thai people as soon as possible.
