The Assessment of COVID-19 Burden during the First Wave of Pandemic in Thailand

Authors

  • Kamthorn Thambhitaks School of Business and Communication Arts University of Phayao
  • Sorawit Boonyathee Faculty of Medicine University of Phayao

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14456/dcj.2021.46

Keywords:

COVID-19, Prevention and Disease Control, Epidemiological practice, Universal Coverage Scheme, Disability-Adjusted Life Years

Abstract

This study aimed to estimate COVID-19 burden during the first wave of pandemic between January 1– October 8, 2020, in Thailand. Outbreak control measures consisted of healthcare services system and coordinated disease control efforts through interagency collaboration, which were displayed by the events in the timeline. The results of the study showed that Thailand’s Universal Coverage Scheme, which focused on the prevention of disease, had been successful in encouraging people at risk of COVID-19 to seek medical care free of charge, taking advantage of the robustness of the national laboratory system coupled with epidemiological investigation capacity nationwide. In addition, the implementation of travel restrictions, good hygiene practices, and social distancing also contributed to the success of COVID-19 containment efforts, thus resulting in relatively low rates of morbidity and mortality. The infections were primarily restricted to the following groups: 1) working age population, 2) pensioners and the elderly, and 3) young children and adolescents. The daily morbidity and mortality rate was capped to just lower than 10 cases per day, thus resulting in the COVID-19 burden of 0.01 DALYs per 1000 population.

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Published

2021-09-28

How to Cite

1.
Thambhitaks K, Boonyathee S. The Assessment of COVID-19 Burden during the First Wave of Pandemic in Thailand. Dis Control J [Internet]. 2021 Sep. 28 [cited 2024 Dec. 19];47(3):518-30. Available from: https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/DCJ/article/view/246195

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Original Article