Surin stops short of declaring Covid-19 endemic
The northeastern province of Surin has indefinitely postponed its ambitious plan to become Thailand’s first province to declare Covid-19 endemic on April 1.
The plan has been met with scepticism as daily cases in Thailand remain high.
Surin Governor Suvapong Kitiphatpiboon said on Thursday that after the upcoming Songkran holiday in mid-April, local authorities would evaluate the province’s preparedness once again to determine if Covid-19 can be declared endemic.
“I confirm our province’s determination to become the first province to declare [Covid-19 endemic],” he said.
On Tuesday, Surin’s Communicable Diseases Committee resolved to postpone the declaration, citing the need to “carefully watch the situation” during the upcoming long holiday.
Also, the province’s hospital bed occupancy rate has remained high at 8.6 per cent, while less than 80 per cent of its elderly residents and those suffering from chronic diseases have been vaccinated.
There has been widespread concern that travel during Songkran may lead to new outbreaks in many provinces.
Earlier, Surin authorities were keen to announce the province would be the first to declare Covid-19 endemic. They encouraged residents to get their Covid-19 booster shots as soon as possible.