Dr. Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, director of the Department of Disease Control, said 1,004 people were admitted for treatment of COVID-19 infections between April 14 and 20, and three of them have died. Of those admitted to hospitals, 292 are suffering from lung infections, and 101 require ventilators to help with breathing.

Thongchai said that the surge in COVID cases during the Songkran festival was not unexpected and most of the cases were found in and around Bangkok and in tourist provinces.

Citing a report from the Medical Science Department, most of the cases are related to the Omicron variant and most of the patients developed flu-like symptoms, such as coughs, sore throats, headaches, muscle pains and runny noses, said Dr. Thongchai, adding that the seriousness of the disease has not increased.

For safety sake, he suggested the wearing of face masks in crowded places, on public transport and in hospitals and nursing homes for the elderly. Washing hands often is also recommended, as are rapid antigen tests if flu-like symptoms develop, he added.