Daily new COVID-19 infections in Thailand reached another new high today (Sunday) with 1,767, up from yesterday’s 1,547. There were also two more fatalities.
CCSA spokesman Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin said today that most new infections were recorded in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan, where cumulative infections, since April 1st, have exceeded 500 in each province.
He also said that the Disease Control Department has discovered a new cluster at a private school in Samut Prakan province, the source of which was reportedly two foreign teachers. They attended a farewell party for teachers on April 8th, at which the virus was transmitted to 23 students and 4 of their family members.
He pleaded for cooperation from the private sector to allow their employees to work from home, citing several clusters linked to workplaces. As examples, he cited 8 infections at an office of the Provincial Electricity Authority in Udon Thani province, 5 cases at two commercial bank head offices in Bangkok, 12 cases at three private companies in Nonthaburi province, 23 cases at a private firm in Chon Buri province and 2 infections at a private firm in Samut Sakhon province.
He urged elderly people to avoid travel and close contact with the other people, noting that many elderly who become infected suffer severe symptoms.
For the newly-infected in work places, Dr. Taweesin suggested that they stop work and report to officials of the Disease Control Department within three hours, while those in close contact with these infected people must immediately see health officials, isolate themselves for 14 days and disinfect their accommodation.
For infected people, waiting to be admitted to hospitals, he said that the Ministry of Public Health will work out a new measure to solve the problem adding, however, that they must isolate themselves in different rooms from others, wear face masks all the time and wash their hands more often.
For the infected, quarantined in field hospitals, he said they must not play cards together or engage in chit chat. Alcoholic drinks and cigarettes are not permitted in field hospitals, he added.
Cumulative infections in Thailand, since early April, are 13,489, with seven deaths. The central region has the most infections at 4,531, including 4,072 cases in Bangkok alone.
The death toll, since early last year, is now 101. The two new fatalities include a 54-year old diabetic monk, with hypertension and chronic kidney disease. The other was a 70-year old woman, with Lupus and chronic kidney problems.
