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

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.