Thailand recorded 1,911 new COVID-19 cases and 18 more deaths today (Thursday). 29,680 patients are still being treated in hospitals, including 1,073 severe cases, of which 356 are on ventilators, according to CCSA spokesman Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin.
6 fatalities were in Bangkok, 3 in Samut Prakan, 2 each in Nonthaburi, Chiang Mai and Samut Sakhon and 1 each in Pathum Thani, Yala and Sing Buri. 5 of them were men while 13 were women.
Dr. Taweesin said that high blood pressure and diabetes remain the two main underlying causes of most of the COVID-19 related fatalities, as well as high cholesterol and obesity.
He said that the COVID-19 situation in Bangkok remains a matter of concern and most of the new infections in the past few days have been found in slum areas, while infections in Samut Prakan and Nonthaburi provinces are also on the rise.
Today’s Bangkok infections (by district) are:
1. Huai Khwang, 463
2. Din Daeng, 426
3. Bang Khen, 357
4. Wattana, 330
5. Chatuchak, 356
6. Lat Phrao, 325
7. Wang Thong Lang, 300
8. Suan Luang, 290
9. Bang Kapi, 282
10. Bang Khae, 241
Provincial totals (since April 1st, 2021) are:
1. Bangkok, 16,048
2. Chon Buri, 3,039
3. Nonthaburi, 2,831
4. Samut Prakan, 2,737
5. Samut Sakhon, 1,230
6. Pathum Thani, 1,060
7. Surat Thani, 975
8. Nakhon Pathom, 717
9. Ayutthaya, 575
10. Nakhon Si Thammarat, 498
Dr. Taweesin said that health officials in Bangkok have screened 42,251 people since April 5th, with 1,677 found to be infected (3.97%).
“This means that there are roughly 4 infected in every 100 people tested,” he said, adding that, if 26,850 people are tested every week, at that rate of infection there would have to be 1,343 hospital beds available to accommodate the patients each week.
Meanwhile, Dr. Opart Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Disease Control Department, assured today that both Thais and foreigners in Thailand, including members of the diplomatic corps, will have the same access as Thai citizens to vaccine shots, on a voluntary basis.
In order to develop herd immunity, he said at least 70% of everyone in Thailand, including 67 million Thais and about three million foreigners, or 50 million, will need to be inoculated twice, requiring 100 million doses of vaccine.
One million more doses of Sinovac vaccine arrived from China today and, after examination, they will be distributed to various provinces, including Bangkok, he said.
