COVID-19 infections in Thailand surged 6,230 cases today (Saturday), as Bangkok logged 1,971 cases, still the highest of all the provinces, according to the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

41 more deaths were reported today, including 29 in Bangkok, 2 each in Yala and Samut Sakhon and 1 each in Kanchanaburi, Kamphaeng Phet, Chachoengsao, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Nayok, Ranong, Ang Thong and Udon Thani. The dead victims were aged from 30 to 88.
The CCSA said that the mortality rate among those infected is decreasing, but the new infection rate is rising steadily. The other nine provinces with high infection rates are:

• Samut Prakan 479
• Pathum Thani 448
• Chon Buri 294
• Samut Sakhon 277
• Nonthaburi 257
• Pattani 197
• Songkhla 172
• Nakhon Pathom 169
• Yala 159

Cumulative infections in Bangkok have reached 79,017 since April 1st, 2021.

Cumulative infections nationwide, since April 1st this year, are 248,288 and the death toll is 2,088. 190,073 people have recovered. 57,470 are being treated in general and field hospitals and “hospitels”, including 2,045 severe cases, of whom 589 are on ventilators.

In the past 24 hours, two new clusters have been found in Nakhon Pathom province (at Kamphaengsaen University and at a furniture factory, with 17 new cases) and at an ice factory in Chon Buri where 56 workers were infected.

Meanwhile, the Medical Services Department said that calls from the public, to its 1669 hotline service demanding admission to hospitals have, of late, increased five-fold, which is indicative of a worsening of the COVID-19 situation and the shortage of hospital beds. New lines have been added to cope with the increasing calls for help.

The department advises COVID-19 patients to call the 1669 hotline service if they develop fatigue while talking, speak incoherently, constant tightness of the chest, fast breathing, difficulty breathing, chest pain or loss of consciousness.

New callers are advised to add Line ID: @1669.reg and fill in the form, which will help facilitate the securing of hospital beds without making a hotline call.