Six new COVID-19 cases have been reported today by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health, bringing the total in the country to 59, with 34 cases having fully recovered, 24 still in hospital and one death.

Of the six new cases, one Thai man, aged 25, has recovered and returned home after treatment at Bamrasnaradura Institute of Infectious Diseases in Nonthaburi province.

According to Dr. Opas Karnkivinpong, director-general of Medical Science Department, the six new cases are:

1. A 21-year old immigration officer at Suvarnabhumi international airport. He went to a state hospital with a runny nose and headache.  He was later transferred to the Central Hospital, where he tested positive for COVID-19.
2. A 40-year old official working at Suvarnabhumi international airport. He became sick on March 7^th, with a fever, runny nose and headache,and went to a private hospital for checks after two days.  He was confirmed as infected and admitted for treatment.
3. A 25-year old office worker, who became sick on February 25^th with a fever and muscle pains. He went to hospital twice, on February 27^th and March 2^nd, for examination which revealed a lung inflammation.  He was subsequently transferred to the Bamrasnaradura Institute for treatment and tested positive for COVID-19.
4. A 27-year old woman who returned from South Korea on February 7^th. She fell sick on February 20^th and was admitted for treatment to a private hospital. On February 28^th, she was transferred to Nopparatratchathani Hospital for further treatment, with a high fever, sore throat, headache, cough and runny nose.  She was diagnosed as being infected with the virus.
5. A 40-year old Thai man returning from Japan on February 26^th. On the following day, he checked in at a private hospital for treatment to a fractured left wrist, but tests showed him infected with the virus.
6. A 36-year old Singaporean, who owns a restaurant in Bangkok. He became sick on March 6^th, with a fever, muscle pains and cough.  He was admitted to a private hospital and, subsequently, transferred to Bamrasnaradura Institute for treatment, where he tested positive for COVID-19.

According to Dr. Opas, the 241 Thais returning from working illegally in South Korea have been quarantined at Sattahip naval base.  These include 29 cases requiring special attention, namely six pregnant women, five children and 18 people with pre-existing conditions.

Dr. Sopon Iamsirithavorn, director of the General Communicable Disease Division, maintains that Thailand is still in Stage 2 of the virus outbreak.

Related story: Public Health Ministry reports 3 new cases