With few vaccines, Thailand relies on Favipiravir in battle against COVID

13 Sept 10:49 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand heavily relies on Favipiravir, an antiviral drug, to treat serious COVID-19 cases due to limited vaccine availability and a surge in infections.
Demand for Favipiravir soared during the third wave, prompting the government to procure millions more pills to ensure sufficient supply for thousands of patients daily through May.
Favipiravir, developed in Japan for influenza, is recommended for COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms, risk factors, or mild pneumonia, proving effective in preventing serious illness.
While unable to produce the finished drug, Thailand has successfully developed the active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) for Favipiravir, signaling future self-sufficiency.

Flooding persists in Bangkok and 22 provinces

Today 16:00 Key points summarised by AI

Persistent flooding continues across Bangkok and 22 Thai provinces, though water levels are gradually receding in many affected areas.
Over 604,000 families, impacting approximately 1.83 million people, are still grappling with the widespread flood conditions.
The national flood death toll has reached 80 since mid-September, with fatalities reported across various provinces.
Major regions like Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, and Bangkok report significant numbers of affected households, with hundreds of thousands still in trouble.