Thailand falls to bottom of Nikkei Asia’s COVID-19 Recovery Index
Commuters make their way on Ratchaprasong intersection in Bangkok on July 12, 2021, on the first day of stricter lockdown restrictions to try to contain the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)
Thailand has been ranked bottom of a list of over 120 countries on Nikkei Asia’s COVID-19 Recovery Index, with a score of 22.0, tied with Vietnam.
Last year, Thailand was among the top ranking countries for its management of the pandemic, but has dropped due to the surge of infections since April this year, especially with the widespread and contagious Delta variant.
The Nikkei COVID-19 Recovery Index ranks more than 120 countries and regions around the world on infection management, vaccine rollouts and social mobility. A higher ranking indicates that the country or region is “closer to recovery” with a low number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, better vaccination rates and less stringent social distancing measures.
Topping the index is China, with 74.0, followed by New Zealand (69.5), Hungary (69.0), Poland (68.0) and Qatar (67.0).
The United States is ranked at 46, with a score of 54.0, while India is ranked 57, with a score of 51.0.
Countries towards the bottom of the index include Malaysia (30.0), Indonesia (30.0), Iraq (29.0), Rwanda (26.5), Bangladesh (26.0), Libya (25.0), Thailand and Vietnam.
Thailand has broken new records for daily infections, with 21,379 new COVID-19 cases recorded today (Friday), which is the third day in a row on which the number of infections exceeded the 20,000 mark. 212,926 people are still being treated in hospitals, 4,999 of which are severe cases, according to Thailand’s Centre of COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).
