Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang said today (Monday) that infections among children and the elderly are likely to increase during the current spread of COVID-19 in Bangkok. He advised that infected children be isolated from their families.

He also announced that a community isolation centre, at the Kiakkai intersection in Dusit district, is accepting COVID-19 infected children aged between 3 and 14, especially if parents or guardians cannot not take care of them.

Parents can also call hotlines for help with isolating infected children. The hotlines include the National Health Security Office (NHSO)’s 1330, the National Institute for Emergency Medicine’s 1669 and the COVID-19 hotlines for each of the 50 districts in Bangkok. Alternatively, parents can access the LINE account@BKKCOVID19CONNECT for initial COVID-19 screening.

Regarding a COVID-19 cluster centred on a game centre in Sai Mai district, Director of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Health Department, Panruedee Manomaipibul, said that health officials have been screening residents in the community using antigen tests. 32 infections were found, including 13 children.

She said the cluster was discovered on February 15^th, with 15 infections found among 112 people screened. All of the infected are receiving treatment in home isolation. Another screening was conducted on February 19^th, with 17 infections found among 50 people tested. Another series of tests is being carried out today.

Sai Mai District Office has ordered the closure and disinfection of game centres. They must remain closed until this Friday.

Thailand’s daily COVID-19 infections have been surging since the Chinese New Year, with 18,883 recorded today, and Bangkok resuming the no.1 spot with most infections after a brief period of Chon Buri province taking over in January.