An additional 3,052 COVID-19 infections, including 605 among prison inmates, and 24 more deaths were reported in Thailand today, according to the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).
The new cases have driven infections, since April 1st, to 97,255. Of these, 54,978 have recovered. The death toll is 665.
Cumulative infections, since early last year, have risen to 126,118. Of these, 82,404 have recovered and 42,955 are still being treated in hospitals, including 1,216 severe cases, of whom 409 are on ventilators. The death toll is 759.
Of the fatalities today, 13 are in Bangkok, 3 in Samut Prakan, 2 in Chiang Mai and Ratchaburi and 1 each in Nonthaburi, Surat Thani, Yasothon and Nakhon Nayok.
CCSA Spokesman Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin said that Thai people working in neighboring countries, such as Cambodia, continue to return to Thailand, with several of them returning illegally through porous natural border crossings.
He said that the Border Patrol Police Bureau has been instructed, by the CCSA, to set up detention camps in border areas, to hold the illegals, to prevent them from venturing deeper inland and, possibly, spreading COVID-19.
So far, five detention camps have been set up and more will be added, he said.
Infections in Bangkok and its peripherals still remain high, especially at construction worker housing facilities, with a number of workers testing positive for the Indian variant of COVID-19.
Bangkok logged 1,191 infections. Other provinces with high infection rates are Phetchaburi, 437; Nonthaburi, 99; Samut Prakan, 94; Chon Buri, 71; Pathum Thani, 68; Samut Sakhon, 49; Yala, 43; Ratchaburi, 29 and 20 each in Songkhla, Surat Thani and Nakhon Pathom.
The twenty provinces which did not record a new infection today are Nakhon Sawan, Phitsanuloke, Lamphun, Lampang, Phetchabun, Trat, Sukhothai, Kalasin, Phayao, Sing Buri, Loei, Uttradit, Phrae, Chainat, Nong Khai, Phang-nga, Mae Hong Son, Amnat Charoen, Nong Bu a Lamphun and Muk Dahan.
Meanwhile, the Corrections Department reported 14,348 cases among its inmates in 12 prisons and correctional institutions.
At the Laksi construction worker housing, 29 infected workers were moved to a hospital for treatment today and over 600 others, who tested negative but are regarded as being a high risk, have been quarantined at the camp, under the observation of health officials.
People living in seven communities around the housing facility have been told to report for vaccination, from Tuesday until May 29th, at Bang Khen School. About 1,000 people are to be vaccinated each day.
