The Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs convened a Briefing/Interactive Session on International Partners in Response to COVID-19 to update the disease situation and seek close collaboration among representatives of Diplomatic Missions, Consular Representatives and International Organizations in Bangkok, and enhance global health security. Delegates of embassies from 62 countries and representatives from 17 international partners were in attendance.

On February 12, 2020, at the Department of Disease Control (DDC), on behalf of Director-General Dr. Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai, Director-General, Dr. Sombat Thanprasertkul, Senior Expert, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, and Mr. Nadhavathna Krishnamra, Director-General, Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs chaired the meeting on Preparedness for and Response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus 2019), the virus that has spread rapidly to many countries, including those represented by Diplomatic Missions, Consular Representatives and International Organizations in Thailand such as WHO Thailand and the MoPH-U.S.CDC Collaboration on Health. The Department of Medical Services and the Department of Medical Sciences of the MOPH were also in attendance.

Dr. Sombat said that regarding the emergence of the 2019-nCoV (now officially named COVID-19) since late December last year, Thailand has implemented response measures since January 3, 2020. Due to the nature of this new infectious disease, the unclear knowledge of the disease has caused widespread confusion, panic, and an overall heightened sense of urgency. In this situation of Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), it requires concerted efforts of multiple sectors: government, private and public to minimize its socio-economic impacts.

Dr. Sopon Iamsirithaworn, Incident Commander of COVID-19, updated the situation as of February 12, 2020 that Thailand has had 33 confirmed cases, of which 11 have recovered, while 22 are still receiving treatment. For some patients who fell into the epidemiological definition for investigation and thus admitted in hospitals for treatment and laboratory examination, most were infected with seasonal influenza, recovered, and went back home.  

He also provided more information on the disease prevention and control mechanism which comprises (1) The National Executive Committee on Preparedness, Prevention and Response to Emerging Infectious Diseases chaired by Thailand Deputy Prime Minister (designated by the prime minister), and (2) Enforcement of the Communicable Disease Act B.E. 2558 (2015) which orders the activation of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at the national, ministerial and provincial levels to implement measures including 1) Situation assessment and screening of passengers from infected areas at all ports of entry (POE), and surveillance at all hospitals and within the community, 2) Treatment of patients in isolation rooms, 3) Contact tracing and quarantine for 14 days (double of the incubation period), 4) Laboratory diagnosis and surveillance, 5) Logistic support for medical supplies and equipment, 6) Studies, research and development, 7) International cooperation, and 8) Risk communication including the Department of Disease Control Hotline 1422.

Dr. Soawapak Hinjoy, Director, Office of International Cooperation, Department of Disease Control, informed the attendees that key information regarding disease situation reports, related information and press releases are provided in Thai, English and Chinese via the DDC Website.

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China gave a presentation to ensure all efforts are being made to keep foreign nationals healthy and safe and they highlighted international cooperation.

WHO Thailand presented guidelines for communication and potential mechanisms, emphasizing the importance of synergistic efforts.

At the end of the meeting, delegates exchanged views and discussed the coordination mechanism regarding COVID-19 with an aim to bring coordinated efforts to tackle the problem in a quick and concerted manner to minimize the socio-economic impact that might occur to the people and the affected countries. This meeting highlighted the importance of global health security capacities and the need to strengthen coordination.

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Office of International Cooperation/Division of Disease Control/

Bureau of Risk Communication and Health Behavior Promotion, DDC

  12 February 2020

Tel. 02-590-3832