COVID-19 Situation Update 2
Date: August 5th, 2021
Background
Both Thailand and Burma are currently experiencing severe epidemics of COVID-19, driven especially by new variants including the highly transmissible delta variant. The current wave of the epidemic in Tak Province, bordering Burma, began in late June with large outbreaks detected in factories in the area. With over 3,000 patients currently in treatment for the disease, it continues to severely strain the medical system. On Wednesday, August 4th, there were 279 new cases diagnosed in Tak, with over 180 of those in Mae Sot, home to the clinic, and the nearby districts of Phop Phra, Mae Ramat, and Tha Song Yang. Since April 1st, 2021, a total of 5,383 cases have been reported in the province (Tak Provincial Public Relations Office Page).
On June 28th, the Mae Tao Clinic became an official field hospital for the Mae Sot public health system, providing care for between 60-70 infected individuals deemed low risk for developing complications or severe disease. While MTC staff members are responsible for providing daily care, they work in partnership with the medical staff of the Mae Sot Hospital and other Thai public health entities, closely monitoring patients for evidence of clinical deterioration and facilitating timely referrals if necessary. To date, the Mae Tao Clinic has served approximately 442 COVID-19 patients who have been referred from the Thai health system, are staff from MTC and partner organizations, or are residents of the surrounding communities.
On July 9th, our first staff member was found to be infected with COVID-19. This prompted the clinic, working in conjunction with local health partners, to pursue aggressive contact tracing and screen all members of the staff, along with household contacts, nearby community members, and others with possible exposure. The results of these efforts are shown in the table below:
| Total Testing | Total Positive | % |
| 774 | 209 | 27 |
* Last updated on August 4th, 2021. Please note that these figures do NOT reflect the epidemiology of COVID-19 in the community or the clinic and its partners as testing was primarily extended to those with potential exposure and others in higher-risk situations.
As a precaution, starting on July 15th, most clinical services at the clinic were suspended indefinitely in order to protect the health and safety of our staff members, their families, and all the communities we serve. This pause was also to allow us to efficiently focus our efforts on identifying and taking care of infected members of the extended MTC family and the community. As of August 4th, there are 192 people either in isolation or quarantine.
| Category | Total case | New case | Referred to MSH | Currently under supervision | Recovered/ discharged |
| Clinical staff | 43 | 5 | 4 | 34 | 7 |
| Non-clinical staff | 77 | 12 | 9 | 61 | 10 |
| Household contact | 67 | 6 | 0 | 44 | 21 |
| Surrounding community contact | 21 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 0 |
| Patient | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Sub-total | 211 | 23 | 14 | 160 | 39 |
| CDC quarantine | 57 | 3 | 0 | 32 | 25 |
| Total | 268 | 26 | 15 | 192 | 64 |
** Isolation is used for people with COVID-19 symptoms or who have tested positive for the virus. Quarantine is for those separated from others because of potential exposure to the virus. For COVID-19, this means staying in the facility for 14 days.
160 people infected with COVID-19 are currently in isolation in the clinic compound and 25 staff, their household contacts, and community members are quarantined. 64 people have been discharged after a minimum 14 days of isolation or quarantine. Discharged people are to strictly adhere to the home quarantine guidelines, staying at home for 14 days after discharge as a precaution.
Under the Thai national vaccine rollout plan, frontline health workers, including staff from MTC, have been receiving vaccinations this year. Currently, 158 staff of MTC and its partner organizations have received vaccinations, of which 27 are now fully vaccinated (with two doses of Sinovac). Vaccination efforts have been focused on individuals at high risk for infection or its consequences, such as IPD staff, and others at higher risk for exposure, along with those over age 55 and/or with comorbidities. In addition to the 158 staff who have received at least one dose of vaccine, an additional 120 staff members are currently registered for the vaccine program.
Clinical Services
To prevent and control further transmission, during this time, all clinical services remain closed. Please refer to the Facebook pages of the Mae Tao Clinic (in English and Burmese), which will frequently be updated to incorporate the most up-to-date information as it becomes available, particularly during this current unpredictable situation.
There have been many inquiries about testing and vaccinations for COVID-19. Unfortunately, the clinic is unable to provide these services at the present time as they are all currently handled through the Thai health system. If you think you have been exposed and would like testing, please contact the Mae Sot
1 World Health Organization. Available from https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/question-and-answers-hub/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-covid-19
Hospital call center Tel. 065-461-1120 or the COVID-19 call center Tel. 1442 or 1688. For the latest vaccine information, please visit the Thai Government Public Relations Department’s official Facebook page.
In case you need assistance for maternal health care services (ANC, delivery care, and PNC), please visit Mae Sot Hospital or the nearest health posts. For those who are in need of assistance in the management of non-communicable (chronic) diseases, please contact Ms. Sophia Hla (English, Burmese and Karen language), Tel. 081-037-5800, or Mr. Saw Than Lwin (English, Burmese, Karen, and Thai language), Tel. 088-144-9551.
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Program
With the support of one of our board members, MTC has started producing radio broadcasting programs three times a day targeted at those in isolation and quarantine to raise awareness for several topics related to mental health, including managing stress and how to change unexpected situations through a positive way of thinking. The programs also provide information about how to access appropriate psychosocial support. We are planning to hand out mental health information leaflets to all to further help increase access to counseling for those in need.
Education Program
66 migrant learning centers located in Tak Province have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic since last year. Students have not been allowed to attend class in-person throughout the last academic year. For the 2021/2022 academic year, the expected school opening date has been postponed indefinitely due to the current wave of COVID-19. Starting on August 2nd, 410 students are enrolled at CDC and the school began online learning sessions. Despite the preparation for teaching online, this transition to remote learning at home has been challenging for some teachers due to limited internet access. However, all CDC teachers are determined to provide students with continued access to education given the current circumstances.
Donations/Support
We are deeply thankful for all those that have and continue to support our work and the communities we work with. For those interested in doing so, please understand that as a COVID-19 field hospital in the midst of a serious epidemic, to ensure safety for everyone, we are very limited in what we are able to accept. We are currently not able to accept cooked food or individually purchased medicines. If you would like to donate clothes or bedding, we respectfully request that these are new and in their original packaging. The supplies that we are currently most in need of are listed below.
| General Social Support |
|---|
| Dry food (rice; tinned fish; cooking oil; salt; yellow beans; chili powder; seasoning etc.) |
| Nutritional supplements (milk; milo) |
| New bedding (mat; pillow; blanket; mosquito net) |
| Medical Supplies |
| PPEs (surgical mask for medical use; face shields; medical/ hospital grade gloves; medical coveralls) |
| N95 face mask |
| Infrared Thermometers |
| Pulse oximeters |
| Surgical Scrubs |
| Disinfectants |
| Alcohol 70% + Glycerin 1% |
| Alcohol Gel |
| Lab Supplies |
| COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Testing Kits (approved by Thai FDA)* |
| Glucose test (50/box) |
| Hygiene Supplies |
| Personal Hygiene Kit (soap; shampoo; tooth paste & tooth brush; sanitation pad; toilet paper) |
*The list of approved kits can be found on the Thai FDA website, here: https://www.fda.moph.go.th/sites/Medical/SitePages/test_kit_covid19.aspx
Please note that this list is dynamic and, given the rapidly evolving circumstances, will be frequently updated to reflect our changing needs and priorities. For further questions regarding donations, please contact the designated persons listed below.
Contact information:
For general inquiries and donations, please contact the following:
• Ms. Nwe Ni (English, Burmese, and Thai language), Tel. 084-820-3743
• Ms. Naw Annie (English, Burmese, and Karen language), Tel. 089-916-5855
• Ms. Pattinee Suanprasert (English and Thai language), Tel. 087-677-1415
For media inquiries:
• Mr. Saw Than Lwin (English, Burmese, Karen language), Tel. 088-144-9551
• Ms. Pattinee Suanprasert (Thai language), Tel. 087-677-1415
For clinical inquiries:
• Ms. Sophia Hla (English, Burmese, and Karen language), Tel. 081-037-5800
• Mr. Saw Than Lwin (English, Burmese, Karen, and Thai language), Tel. 088-144-9551
For those interested in supporting our COVID-19 emergency response efforts directly: this can be done through deposits/wire transfer to the following account: Account Name: Suwannimit Foundation for Mae Tao Clinic Account Number: 016-8-83807-7 Bank and Branch: Kasikorn Bank, Mae Sot SWIFT Code: KASITHBK Bank Address: 84/9, Prasart Withi Rd., Mae Sot, Tak Province 63110, Thailand
For more donation information, please visit our donation page: https://maetaoclinic.org/how-to-help/donate/ or contact us at fundraising@maetaoclinic.org