Effects of public health interventions on the epidemiological spread during the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in Thailand

Triukose, Sipat; Nitinawarat, Sirin; Satian, Ponlapat; Somboonsavatdee, Anupap; Chotikarn, Ponlachart; Thammasanya, Thunchanok; Wanlapakorn, Nasamon; Sudhinaraset, Natthinee; Boonyamalik, Pitakpol; Kakhong, Bancha; Poovorawan, Yong

A novel infectious respiratory disease was recognized in Wuhan (Hubei Province, China) in December 2019. In February 2020, the disease was named “coronavirus disease 2019” (COVID-19). COVID-19 became a pandemic in March 2020, and, since then, different countries have implemented a broad spectrum of policies. Thailand is considered to be among the top countries in handling its first wave of the outbreak—12 January to 31 July 2020. Here, we illustrate how Thailand tackled the COVID-19 outbreak, particularly the effects of public health interventions on the epidemiological spread. This study shows how the available data from the outbreak can be analyzed and visualized to quantify the severity of the outbreak, the effectiveness of the interventions, and the level of risk of allowed activities during an easing of a “lockdown.” This study shows how a well-organized governmental apparatus can overcome the havoc caused by a pandemic.