Thailand recorded three new COVID-19 cases today, all Thais returning from abroad and currently in state quarantine.

According to the CCSA, two new cases are a 26-year old Thai woman and a 43-year old Thai man arriving from the United Arab Emirates on July 29^th who entered state quarantine in Chon Buri province. Both asymptomatic, they tested positive for COVID-19 on August 1^st.

The third case is a 19-year old Thai student, returning from India on July 30^th, and who entered state quarantine in Bangkok.  He also tested positive on August 1^st.

Cumulative cases in Thailand, to date, are 3,320, with 3,142 recoveries and 58 deaths. 120 others are still being treated in hospital.

CCSA spokesman Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin reported that about 100 US troops are due to arrive in Thailand today, from Guam and Japan, to take part in joint exercises with Thai troops. Seven more are expected from Japan. All of them will be isolated at alternative state quarantine facilities.

He said that the CCSA has postponed, over safety concerns, the planned arrival in Thailand of more than 2,000 US troops for joint exercises.

Regarding public concern, about allowing migrant workers from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia to enter Thailand to ease the labour shortage, Dr. Taweesin said that all arrivals will be screened at the border, and those found to be infected will be refused entry.

All will be subject to 14-days in state quarantine and they will be housed two per room, to save costs for the business operators who are bringing them into Thailand, he said.

If they encounter suspected illegal migrant workers, he urged members of the Thai public to report the matter to police.

Globally, Dr. Taweesin said that the situation is still of serious concern, as new infections continue to rise, with no sign of abating.  Cumulative global infections are now 18.2 million, with the US alone accounting for 4.8 million cases. Thailand is now placed 110th in terms of total infections.

In Hong Kong, he said that the territory is now experiencing a third outbreak, due mainly to the easing of lockdown restrictions, including home quarantine and growing complacency among the people.

Australia, Japan and Israel are now experiencing second outbreaks, with more infections than in the first wave.  In the Philippines, medical personnel have demanded the Government reintroduce lockdown measures, to stem the spread of COVID-19, warning that the country’s healthcare infrastructure will collapse if new infections continue to increase unchecked.