Five new COVID-19 infection clusters have been discovered in Bangkok, bringing the total to 38 clusters across 30 districts, while new infections today (Wednesday) increased by 2,455, including 479 cases among inmates, according to the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

The death toll today also rose to a new high of 41 cases, bringing total fatalities, since early last year, to 873. 45,256 people are still being treated in hospitals, of whom 1,210 are severe cases, including 402 on ventilators.

CCSA Spokesman Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin said the new clusters are in shopping malls in the Lat Phrao area, a garment factory in Yan Nawa district, a market in Nong Chok area, a government housing estate in Khlong Chan and a construction worker housing facility in Suan Luang district.

Of all the clusters in the capital, 10 have been put under control. The number of infections in Bang Kapi market and its surrounding communities has increased to 438, with an additional 19 construction workers being found to be infected, according to Dr. Taweesin.

Of the 41 deaths today, 25 are men and 16 women. There were 16 in Bangkok, 7 in Samut Prakan, 3 in Nonthaburi, 2 each in Chonburi and Pathum Thani, and 1 each in Sing Buri, Sukhothai, Udon Thani, Narathiwat, Loei, Sakhon Nakhon, Nakhon Sawan, Prachin Buri, Trat, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Samut Sakhon.

Of all the deaths, 27 had high blood pressure, 24 had diabetes, 14 had high cholesterol, 10 had chronic kidney problems, 7 had heart problems, 4 had chronic lung diseases and others were obese, had liver problems or a stroke.

Regarding applications for vaccination, Dr. Taweesin urged Bangkokians to use the “Pao Tang” app or www.ไทยร่วมใจ.com instead of the Mor Prom app from tomorrow (Thursday) onwards.

He assured, however, that people who are over 60 or suffer from any of seven non-communicable underlying diseases, who have already applied via the Mor Prom app, will still be given priority vaccine access.

After it was discovered that some provinces with many vaccination applications have had few infections, vaccine quotas will be reassigned to provinces with higher infection rates, and to groups of people who are crucial to driving the economy and to those in the tourism sector, he added.