Today (Friday), Thailand recorded 3,481 new COVID infections, including 951 new cases among prisoners and 32 more virus related deaths, according to the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

Cumulative infections, since last year, have reached 123,066, of which 79,504 have recovered. 42,827 are still being treated in hospitals, including 1,248 severe cases, 408 of them needing ventilators. The death toll has increased to 735.

Cumulative infections, since the third wave of the pandemic began in April, have risen to 94,203, including 14,548 prison inmates. The death toll over that period is 641.

Of the new cases today, 874 were detected during active screening, 1,644 were among those under observation and treatment and 12 are foreign arrivals in state quarantine.

Of the new fatalities today, 15 are in Bangkok, 6 in Nonthaburi, 2 in Samut Sakhon and 1 each in Nakhon Pathom, Phatthalung, Surin, Nakhon Ratchasima, Yala, Samut Prakan, Roi Et, Phang-nga, and Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Bangkok logged the highest daily infection rate, with 1,036 cases, followed by Samut Prakan, 457 cases; Nonthaburi, 163 cases; Pathum Thani, 162 cases; Chon Buri, 127 cases; Phetchaburi, 77 cases; Ranong, 54 cases; Tak, 45 cases; Samut Sakhon 40 cases and Songkhla 36 cases.

CCSA Spokesman Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin admitted that the infection rate in Bangkok and its peripherals is not yet showing signs of slowing whereas, for the rest of the country, infection rates are slowing, adding that new infections have been found among Thai arrivals from neighboring countries, especially among those arriving from Cambodia.

Prime Minister Prayut Can-o-cha has expressed serious concern over the rising death rate among the very sick, saying he wishes that not a single person would die, said Taweesin, adding that the prime minister has instructed all doctors to join forces in the sharing of knowledge and medicines and the utilization of human resources, to make sure that all patients are given the best available treatment.