The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) has increased the production of the anti-viral drug Molnupiravir, to cope with a rise in COVID-19 cases.
GPO Director Dr. Mingkwan Suphannahong said that demand for Molnupiravir has increased in the past two weeks.
The Department of Disease Control reported 33,589 new COVID-19 cases between May 18th and 24th, with three fatalities.
The doctor said 55,718 cases were reported in the previous week. Most of the cases were in Bangkok, Chon Buri, Samut Prakan and Nonthaburi among working people in the 30-39 age group, followed by those 20-29, those over 60 and in the 40-49 age group.
Meanwhile, the Ratwinit Bangkaeo School, in Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan province, has been closed from Monday through Wednesday, as COVID-19 infections among the students have increased. The school has moved to online learning during the closure.
Thanu Wongchinda, secretary-general of the Basic Education Commission, said that all schools across the country have been instructed to adhere strictly to COVID-19 preventative measures, including the wearing of face masks and regular hand washing.
In case students or teachers become infected, he said the school administration can turn to online learning or the suspension of classes.
Director-General of the Medical Sciences Department, Yongyot Thammawut, said that the Omicron JN.1 sub-variant is still the dominant strain in Thailand, accounting for 63.92% of all COVID-19 cases. Other sub-variants, such as XEC and KP.1.1.3, which was detected in January this year, are declining.
Meanwhile, Dr. Thira Woratanarat, of the Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn University, advised the public not to believe in the rhetoric that COVID-19 is easily transmissible, but not as life-threatening as before, and that the rate of fatalities is close to that of influenza.
Comparison of the mortality rates between COVID-19 and influenza, to suggest that COVID-19 is not life-threatening, is a simplistic effort at harm minimisation, which is harmful in itself, because it leads to complacency and risky behaviour, said Dr. Thira.
