Impact of COVID 19 on Thailand (TDRI July 2020)

COVID-19, which stands for Coronavirus Disease 2019, is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It emerged in late 2019 and quickly spread around the world, leading to a global pandemic. Here’s a summary of the key points about COVID-19:

Symptoms:

• Common symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, and loss of taste or smell.
• Some people experience more severe symptoms, such as shortness of breath, pneumonia, and blood clots.
• Others may have no symptoms at all (“asymptomatic”).

Transmission:

• The virus spreads mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
• It can also spread through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, although this is less common.

Severity and Risk:

• While most people experience mild illness, some develop severe complications and may require hospitalization or even intensive care.
• Older adults and people with underlying health conditions are at higher risk of severe illness.

Prevention:

• The best way to prevent COVID-19 is to get vaccinated and boosted when eligible.
• You can also help protect yourself and others by wearing a mask in public settings, practicing good hand hygiene, and maintaining physical distance.

Current Situation:

• While the pandemic continues, most countries have transitioned to managing COVID-19 as an endemic disease, meaning it’s expected to circulate at lower levels but without causing widespread disruption.
• New variants of the virus continue to emerge, and some may be more transmissible or resistant to vaccines.