Covid UPDATE Friday: 2,631 new cases and 31 deaths, provincial totals

2,631 new Covid-19 cases and 31 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. Since April 1, the latest wave of infections in Thailand, the CCSA has recorded 143,116 Covid-19 infections and 1,083 deaths. In total, there have been 171,979 Covid infections and 1,177 Covid-related deaths reported in Thailand since the pandemic started last year.

Of the new cases, 189 were detected in Thai prisons, adding to the thousands of cases among inmates. More than a dozen correctional facilities have reported Covid-19 outbreaks, prompting the Thai government to look into tackling the longstanding problem of the overcrowded prisons.

Of the 31 deaths reported today by the CCSA, the patients’ ages ranged from 17 to 97. Most of the patients were in Bangkok and many had underlying conditions of hypertension.

Restrictions remain tight in Bangkok, the epicentre in the latest wave of cases with more than 40,000 Covid-19 infections reported since April 1. Today, 824 cases were reported in Bangkok. There are now 52 Covid-19 cluster in 32 districts in Bangkok.

The CCSA also reported 460 in Pathum Thani, 202 in Samut Prakan, 198 in Phetchaburi, 153 in Nonthaburi and 101 Chon Buri.

Many cases have been concentrated at crowded areas such as factories, construction camps, markets, slum neighbourhoods, and informal settlements. At a chicken processing plant in Pathum Thani, 854 of the 2,073 workers tested positive Covid-19. In Samut Prakan, 27 of 415 workers at a bleaching factory tested positive for Covid-19.

At factories where workers lived onsite has been a concern for the Department of Disease Control. Some workers often gathered and shared cups, according to a spokesperson for the CCSA.

“The disease was found on coolers and workers partied after work. They shared cigarettes.”

Provincial numbers from the NBT…

SOURCE: CCSA | Bangkok Post