Thailand recorded 1,547 new COVID-19 cases and 2 more deaths today (Saturday), one of them linked to the Thonglor cluster.

CCSA spokesman Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin said one of the fatalities was a 38-year old diabetic computer programmer, whoinitially fell sick on April 3rd, before he was diagnosed with COVID-19.

The other was a 51-year diabetic office worker, with heart problems and hypertension.  He fell sick on April 10th with a fever, cough and sore throat before being diagnosed with COVID-19 on April 12th. Two days later he developed breathing difficulties and was put on a respirator, but his condition worsened until his death the following day.

Dr. Taweesin said that the mortality rate in the third wave of infections is very low, at 0.05%, with a 99.95% recovery rate,compared to the initial and secondary waves last year.

Cumulative infections, since early last year, are 40,585, with 28,570 recoveries. 11,916 others are still being treated in hospitals.

Of the new infections today, 279 cases were recorded in Bangkok, raising the capital’s total infections to 2,976.

Taweesin said he expects full cooperation, from all sectors of Thai society, when the new restrictions come into force atmidnight tonight, especially from convenience stores, which will only open from 4am until 11pm in the 18 Red Zone provinces.

At Khon Kaen provincial hospital, two general medical wards and one obstetric ward were closed temporarily, due to a shortage of staff, after 105 doctors, nurses and other medics were quarantined for 14 days after they were found to have beenin close contact with an infected person.

8 of the 33 COVID-19 patients have been transferred to other facilities after their conditions improved.