| Peer-Reviewed

New Waves of COVID-19 in Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar

Received: 15 January 2021    Accepted: 26 April 2021    Published: 8 May 2021
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

The UK COVID-19-variant-B.1.1.7 was identified in individuals from China and India who entered Cambodia in February 2021 and the first case of Cambodia was reported on February 15, 2021. Since February 2021, the UK COVID-19-variant-B.1.1.7 had spread throughout Cambodia, particularly in Phnom Penh. The objectives of this study are to identify the causes of a spike in COVID-19 cases, track of COVID-19 surges, preparing for a spike or new wave or third wave of COVID-19, how herd immunity to COVID-19 work in the communities, SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) variants, and control measures in Thailand and related countries. A comprehensive search was carried out in mainstream bibliographic databases or Medical Subject Headings, including Scien Direct, PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science. The search was applied to the articles that were published between 2019 and early April 2021. With strict literature search and screening processes, it yielded 29 articles from 340 articles of initial literature database. On April 5, 2021, there was an increase of 250 SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)-infected cases related to nightlife establishments in Bangkok, contributing to shutting of the entertainment venues in 3 districts of the capital for at least 2 weeks. A private hospital in Bangkok conducted the drive-through COVID-19-infection screening since April 1, 2021 and revealed that approximately 9% of those tested were infected. The most of the infected individuals those tested at this private hospital had visited the same entertainment venues as the above group. Nightlife venues give noise level that people have to stand close to each other and shout to be heard. Additionally, revelers tend to move from one party to another, potentially spreading the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Thailand might have been carried into the country from Cambodia, either by migrant workers or Thais crossing the border. When a locally-manufactured AstraZeneca vaccine becomes available, Thailand plans to begin its mass immunization campaign in June 2021. The Thai army was setting up field hospitals with approximately, 3,000 beds in 10 army bases, braced for a possible surge in new COVID-19 patient. In conclusion, due to weak health systems in Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, and Timor Leste, listed as vulnerable by the United Nations (UN), the COVID-19-variant new outbreak in Cambodia and Myanmar can easily spread this contagiously infectious disease to the ASEAN countries. Calls to form an ASEAN Center for Disease Prevention and Control are urgently needed.

Published in American Journal of Internal Medicine (Volume 9, Issue 3)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajim.20210903.12
Page(s) 114-120
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Third Wave, New Wave, Thailand

References
[1] World Health Organization. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. Available at: http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-emergencies/coronovirus-COVID-19/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov (accessed on March 19, 2021).
[2] Live Science. First known case of coronavirus traced back to November in China. Available at: https://www.livescience.com/first-case-coronavirus-found.html (accessed on March 19, 2021).
[3] World Health Organization. 2019-nCoV outbreak is an emergency of international concern. Available at: http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-emergencies/international-health-regulations/news/news/2020/2/2019-cov-outbreak-is-an-emergency-of-international-concern (accessed on March 19, 2021).
[4] Zhou, P., Yang, X., Wang, X., et al. A pneumonia outbreak associated with a new coronavirus of probable bat origin. Nature 2020; 579: 270-273.
[5] Zhang, T., Wu, Q., Zhang, Z. Probable pangolin origin of SARS-CoV-2 associated with the COVID-19 outbreak. Current Biol 2020; 30: 1346-1351.
[6] Guan, W. J., Ni, Z. Y., Hu, Y., et al. Clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 in China. N Engl J Med 2020: a2002032.
[7] Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Emergency Response Epidemiology Team. The epidemiological characteristics of an outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in China (article in Chinese). Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi 2020; 41: 145-151.
[8] Dong, Y., Mo, X., Hu, Y., et al. Epidemiology of COVID-19 among children in China. Pediatrics 2020; 145: e20200702.
[9] Watson, J., Whiting, P. F., Brush, J. E. Interpreting a COVID-19 test result. BMJ 2020; 369: m1808.
[10] Kucirka, L. M., Lauer, S. A., Laeyendecker, O., Boon, D., Lessler, J. Variation in false-negative rate of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction-based SARS-CoV-2 tests by time since exposure. Ann Intern Med 2020; 173: 262-267.
[11] Wang, W., et al. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in different types of clinical specimens. JAMA 2020; 323: 1843-1844.
[12] To, K. K., et al. Temporal profiles of viral load in posterior oropharyngeal saliva samples and serum antibody responses during infection by SARS-CoV-2: an observational cohort study. Lancet Infect 2020; 20: 565-574.
[13] Czumbel, L. M., Kiss, S., Farkas, N., Mandel, I., Hegyi, A., Nagy, A., et al. Saliva as a candidate for COVID-19 diagnostic testing: a meta-analysis. Frontiers in Medicine 2020; 7. Article 465. DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.00465.
[14] Puenpa, J., Suwannakarn, K., Chansaenroj, J., Nilyanimit, P., Yorsaeng, R., Auphimai, C., et al. Molecular epidemiology of the first wave of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in Thailand in 2020. Scientific Reports 2020; 10: 16602. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-73554-7, Reuters, Bangkok, Thailand. Update –Thailand mulls more restrictions amid second wave of coronavirus. January 3, 2021.
[15] Reuters, Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand mulls more restrictions amid second wave of coronavirus. Updated January 3, 2021. Available at: https://www.reuters.com>articles>health-coronavirus-t... (accessed on April 6, 2021).
[16] World Health Organization. GARDAWORLD. State COVID-19 Portal Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand. Update on January 4, 2021. Available at: https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/424866/thailand-officials-enacting-tighter-rules-in-additional-localities-as-ofjan-4-update-33 (accessed on April 6, 2021).
[17] GARDAWORLD. Thailand: Officials enacting tighter rules in additional localities as of January 4, 2021/update 33. Available at: https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/424866/thailand-officials-enacting-tighter-rules-in-additional-localities-as-ofjan-4-update-33 (accessed on April 6, 2021).
[18] Taylor M. Leading Thai virologist warns of third wave, says herd immunity will take 2 years at current vaccination rate. April 7, 2021. Available at: https://thethaiger.com>coronavirus>leading-thai-virol... (accessed on April 8, 2021).
[19] Thai PBS WORLD. Thailand entering third wave of COVID-19 infections-Dr. Thiravat Hemachudha. April 6, 2021. Available at: https://www.thaipbsworld.com>thailand-entering-third... (accessed on April 8, 2021).
[20] Win, A. Rapid rise of COVID-19 second wave in Myanmar and implications for the Western Pacific region. QJM: an International Journal of Medicine 2020; 113 (12): 856-857. Advance Access Publication Date: October 23, 2020. DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcaa290.
[21] Challen, R., Brooks-Pollock, E., Read, J. M., Dyson, L., Tsaneva-Atanasova, K., Danon, L. Risk of mortality in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern 202012/1: matched cohort study. BMJ 2021; 372: n579. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.n579 pmid: 33687922.
[22] Yi, C., Sun, X., Ye, J., et al. Key residuals of the receptor binding motif in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 that interact with ACE2 and neutralizing antibodies. Cell Mol Immunol 2020; 17: 621-630. DOI: 10.1038/s41423-020-0458-z pmid: 32415260.
[23] Voysey, M., Clemens, S. A. C., Madhi, S. A., et al. Oxford COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Group. Safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AZD1222) against SARS-CoV-2: an interim analysis of four randomized controlled trials in Brazil, South Africa, and the UK. Lancet 2021; 397: 99-111.
[24] Baden, L. R., El Sahly, H. M., Essink, B., et al. COVE Study Group. Efficacy and safety of the mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. N Engl J Med 2021; 384: 403-416. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2035389 pmid: 33378609.
[25] Polack, F. P., Thomas, S. J., Kitchin, N., et al. C4591001 Clinical Trial Group. Safety and efficacy of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. N Engl J Med 2020; 383: 2603-2615.
[26] Levine-Tiefenbrun, M., Yelin, I., Katz, R., et al. Decreased SARS-CoV-2 viral load following vaccination. medRxiv 2021: 2021.02.06.21251283, DOI: 10.1101/2021.02.06.21251283.
[27] Thepggumpanat, P., Tanakasempipat, P. Reuters. Thailand says Bangkok COVID-19 outbreak may take months to contain. April 8, 2021. Available at: https://www.reuters.com>us-health-coronavirus-thailand (accessed on April 8, 2021).
[28] Bangkok Post. Virologist: UK COVID Variant may have arrived from Cambodia. April 8, 2021. Available at: https://www.bangkokpost.com>thailand>general>vi... (accessed on April 8, 2021).
[29] The Local. Sweden’s news in English. COVID-19 third wave: which countries in Europe have the tightest restrictions? March 23, 2021. 7 pages. Available at: https://www.thelocal.se>covid-19-across-europe-have-... (accessed on April 9, 2021).
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Attapon Cheepsattayakorn, Ruangrong Cheepsattayakorn, Porntep Siriwanarangsun. (2021). New Waves of COVID-19 in Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar. American Journal of Internal Medicine, 9(3), 114-120. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajim.20210903.12

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Attapon Cheepsattayakorn; Ruangrong Cheepsattayakorn; Porntep Siriwanarangsun. New Waves of COVID-19 in Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar. Am. J. Intern. Med. 2021, 9(3), 114-120. doi: 10.11648/j.ajim.20210903.12

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Attapon Cheepsattayakorn, Ruangrong Cheepsattayakorn, Porntep Siriwanarangsun. New Waves of COVID-19 in Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar. Am J Intern Med. 2021;9(3):114-120. doi: 10.11648/j.ajim.20210903.12

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ajim.20210903.12,
      author = {Attapon Cheepsattayakorn and Ruangrong Cheepsattayakorn and Porntep Siriwanarangsun},
      title = {New Waves of COVID-19 in Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar},
      journal = {American Journal of Internal Medicine},
      volume = {9},
      number = {3},
      pages = {114-120},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajim.20210903.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajim.20210903.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajim.20210903.12},
      abstract = {The UK COVID-19-variant-B.1.1.7 was identified in individuals from China and India who entered Cambodia in February 2021 and the first case of Cambodia was reported on February 15, 2021. Since February 2021, the UK COVID-19-variant-B.1.1.7 had spread throughout Cambodia, particularly in Phnom Penh. The objectives of this study are to identify the causes of a spike in COVID-19 cases, track of COVID-19 surges, preparing for a spike or new wave or third wave of COVID-19, how herd immunity to COVID-19 work in the communities, SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) variants, and control measures in Thailand and related countries. A comprehensive search was carried out in mainstream bibliographic databases or Medical Subject Headings, including Scien Direct, PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science. The search was applied to the articles that were published between 2019 and early April 2021. With strict literature search and screening processes, it yielded 29 articles from 340 articles of initial literature database. On April 5, 2021, there was an increase of 250 SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)-infected cases related to nightlife establishments in Bangkok, contributing to shutting of the entertainment venues in 3 districts of the capital for at least 2 weeks. A private hospital in Bangkok conducted the drive-through COVID-19-infection screening since April 1, 2021 and revealed that approximately 9% of those tested were infected. The most of the infected individuals those tested at this private hospital had visited the same entertainment venues as the above group. Nightlife venues give noise level that people have to stand close to each other and shout to be heard. Additionally, revelers tend to move from one party to another, potentially spreading the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Thailand might have been carried into the country from Cambodia, either by migrant workers or Thais crossing the border. When a locally-manufactured AstraZeneca vaccine becomes available, Thailand plans to begin its mass immunization campaign in June 2021. The Thai army was setting up field hospitals with approximately, 3,000 beds in 10 army bases, braced for a possible surge in new COVID-19 patient. In conclusion, due to weak health systems in Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, and Timor Leste, listed as vulnerable by the United Nations (UN), the COVID-19-variant new outbreak in Cambodia and Myanmar can easily spread this contagiously infectious disease to the ASEAN countries. Calls to form an ASEAN Center for Disease Prevention and Control are urgently needed.},
     year = {2021}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - New Waves of COVID-19 in Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar
    AU  - Attapon Cheepsattayakorn
    AU  - Ruangrong Cheepsattayakorn
    AU  - Porntep Siriwanarangsun
    Y1  - 2021/05/08
    PY  - 2021
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajim.20210903.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajim.20210903.12
    T2  - American Journal of Internal Medicine
    JF  - American Journal of Internal Medicine
    JO  - American Journal of Internal Medicine
    SP  - 114
    EP  - 120
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-4324
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajim.20210903.12
    AB  - The UK COVID-19-variant-B.1.1.7 was identified in individuals from China and India who entered Cambodia in February 2021 and the first case of Cambodia was reported on February 15, 2021. Since February 2021, the UK COVID-19-variant-B.1.1.7 had spread throughout Cambodia, particularly in Phnom Penh. The objectives of this study are to identify the causes of a spike in COVID-19 cases, track of COVID-19 surges, preparing for a spike or new wave or third wave of COVID-19, how herd immunity to COVID-19 work in the communities, SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) variants, and control measures in Thailand and related countries. A comprehensive search was carried out in mainstream bibliographic databases or Medical Subject Headings, including Scien Direct, PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science. The search was applied to the articles that were published between 2019 and early April 2021. With strict literature search and screening processes, it yielded 29 articles from 340 articles of initial literature database. On April 5, 2021, there was an increase of 250 SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)-infected cases related to nightlife establishments in Bangkok, contributing to shutting of the entertainment venues in 3 districts of the capital for at least 2 weeks. A private hospital in Bangkok conducted the drive-through COVID-19-infection screening since April 1, 2021 and revealed that approximately 9% of those tested were infected. The most of the infected individuals those tested at this private hospital had visited the same entertainment venues as the above group. Nightlife venues give noise level that people have to stand close to each other and shout to be heard. Additionally, revelers tend to move from one party to another, potentially spreading the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Thailand might have been carried into the country from Cambodia, either by migrant workers or Thais crossing the border. When a locally-manufactured AstraZeneca vaccine becomes available, Thailand plans to begin its mass immunization campaign in June 2021. The Thai army was setting up field hospitals with approximately, 3,000 beds in 10 army bases, braced for a possible surge in new COVID-19 patient. In conclusion, due to weak health systems in Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, and Timor Leste, listed as vulnerable by the United Nations (UN), the COVID-19-variant new outbreak in Cambodia and Myanmar can easily spread this contagiously infectious disease to the ASEAN countries. Calls to form an ASEAN Center for Disease Prevention and Control are urgently needed.
    VL  - 9
    IS  - 3
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Western University, Pathum Thani, Thailand

  • Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand

  • Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Western University, Pathum Thani, Thailand

  • Sections