Clusters of infections related to market places have been reported in Bangkok and 20 other provinces, as the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) warns of a possible surge in infections in the next 1-2 weeks related to the Chinese New Year.

CCSA assistant spokesperson Dr. Apisamai Srirangsan said today (Thursday) that market-related clusters have been reported in Saraburi, Chon Buri, Kanchanaburi, Si Sa Ket, Ubon Ratchathani, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Nan, Roi-et, Nakhon Ratchasima, Pathum Thani, Surin, Lop Buri, Prachin Buri, Tak, Khon Kaen, Ang Thong, Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya, Udon Thani, Samut Sakhon and Bangkok.

She urged governors of provinces with clusters to ensure that all markets strictly comply with the Health Department’s universal preventive measures, which include, among other things, all vendors being fully inoculated, the cleansing of all contact points with disinfectant and maintaining a clean market.

She said that members of the public can report to the provincial communicable disease committee any market not up to the required standard.

Another issue of concern are the clusters of infections related to religious activities and weddings found in some provinces, such as Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Phetchaburi, Chanthaburi, and Udon Thani.

The CCSA also unveiled guidelines for dealing with infections in schools:

• If only 1 or 2 students are found to be infected, only their classroom will be closed for three days. The infected are to be sent for treatment and those at high-risk should study online. The school can remain open for the rest of the students.
• If more than two students are infected or infections are found in more than one classroom, due to activities between students from different classes, the school must consult the provincial communicable disease committee if it wants to suspend all classes.

Vaccination of children aged 5-11 with the Pfizer vaccine has commenced, starting with those suffering from underlying diseases in hospitals. Students who do not have health issues will receive their vaccine doses at school, starting from Primary year 6 down to Primary year 1.

The daily COVID-19 infections were fluctuating between 6,000 and fewer than 9,000 since the New Year, but the figure became higher today at 9,172, with 21 deaths reported.