COVID-19 infections in Thailand, since the start of the third wave of the pandemic on April 1st, 2021, have surpassed 200,000, to 203,784 cases, with 4,108 additional infections today (Thursday). Three more clusters have emerged in Bangkok, raising total clusters to 99, scattered over 42 districts of the capital, according to the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).
A new cluster was reported at a nursery in Thanyaburi district of Pathum Thani province, where 39 of 164 children were found to be infected, including 33 aged between 3 and 6.
CCSA Assistant Spokeswoman Dr. Apisamai Srirangsan said that the cluster of infections at the nursery were traced to the driver, who is believed to have spread the disease to the children.
The three new clusters in Bangkok are:
- A construction worker housing facility in Soi Ramkhamhaeng 7, Bang Kapi district. Active screening of 241 workers found 164 (68%) of them infected.
- Another worker housing facility in Silom Soi 9, Bang Rak district. Active screening of 257 workers found 126 (49%) of them infected.
- A crash helmet factory in Bang Khun Thian district. Screening of 600 workers found 160 (27.5%) have the disease.
In Samut Sakhon, clusters have been found at a rubber product plant and at a shrimp processing factory. A new cluster also emerged in Nonthaburi at a seaweed processing plant, where 11 workers were found to be infected.
Of the 4,108 new infections today, 1,359 are in Bangkok, raising cumulative infections in the capital since April 1st, 2021 to 63,835. 31 more deaths were recorded today, 28 of them in Bangkok.
Due to the continuing surge in infections, Dr. Apisamai said that the CCSA subcommittee will propose to the CCSA that it bring forward the July and August vaccination appointments for aging people and those afflicted with any of the seven underlying diseases.
To address the problem of a shortage of hospital beds, especially in Bangkok, she said that Thammasat University, the Medicine Faculty of Ramathibodi Hospital and Vajira Hospital have been asked to try to make 50 more beds available this month.
Private hospitals will also be asked to increase their hospital beds to accommodate severe cases.
