CCSA spokesman Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin warned today (Saturday) of stricter measures, to be imposed soon in targeted areas by the CCSA, as today’s new COVID-19 infections reached yet another new high of 2,839, with 8 more fatalities.

Bangkok accounted for 1,582 of today’s new infections, described as very high by Dr. Taweesin. Meanwhile, there were 151 cases in Chiang Mai, 119 in Chon Buri, 96 in Nonthaburi, 84 in Samut Prakan, 59 in Pathum Thani, 57 in Samut Sakhon, 46 in Surat Thani, 38 in Nakhon Sawan and 34 cases in Songkhla.

He said that more than 20 clusters were found this week in 19 provinces, including Bangkok, where five clusters infected more than 50 people each.

He attributed the spike in cases this week to infections in work places, group socializing, eating together, infections among family members, a lack of social distancing in group activities, group activities among elderly people, travel by public transport and misleading information provided about the movements of the infected.

Dr. Taweesin said that infections this week are still on an upward trend, with total cases, since early last year, being 53,022, including about 500 severe cases and 22,327 who are being treated in general hospitals, field hospitals and other facilities.

The CCSA spokesman assured that, for the time being, there is no shortage of hospital beds, pointing out that bed occupation rate is just 47.8%, leaving 21,138 unoccupied beds out of the total of 40,524 nationwide.

He maintained that the hospital bed problem has not yet reached a critical point.

Commenting on a report yesterday, that some 2,000 infected people were waiting for hospital beds, he said that the Medical Services Department had arranged for four field hospitals and “hospitels” in Bangkok to accommodate those patients.

Regarding additional restrictions, Dr. Taweesin said that the current restrictive measures have only been enforced since April 18th, but the strategic panel is assessing the situation and working out more measures to be applied selectively.