Tuesday Covid Update: 11,305 new cases; provincial totals

11,305 new cases and 80 deaths were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. In the latest and most severe wave of Covid-19 in Thailand, first recorded on April 1, the CCSA has reported a total of 397,612 infections.

Out of the new cases recorded today, 595 were detected in correctional facilities. The latest wave of infections spread to Thailand’s overcrowded prisons, infecting more than 30,000 inmates.

With the emergence of the Delta variant, a CCSA spokesperson says that in the worst-case scenario, the daily infection count could reach 20,000 or even 30,000 cases.

Bangkok remains the epicentre with 2,764 new cases reported today. Infections rates are also still high in surrounding provinces, which are classified as “dark red” zones under maximum control. 798 new cases were reported in Samut Sakhon, 673 in Samut Prakan, 476 in Pathum Thani, 386 in Nonthaburi, 371 in Nakhon Pathom, and 198 in Ayutthaya.

537 new cases were reported in Chon Buri and 185 new cases in Chachoengsao. Both provinces are classified as “dark red” zones with tight restrictions.

Other updates…

• The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand also announced that domestic flights out of Bangkok and other “dark red” provinces will be suspended starting on Wednesday, with the exception of emergency landings, flights for medical service, and flights in connection with the “Phuket Sandbox” or “Samui Plus” reopening schemes.
• Starting today, Chon Buri, Chachoengsao and Ayutthaya are now classified as “dark red” zones under maximum control, joining Bangkok and surrounding provinces as well as the 4 provinces in Thailand’s Deep South near the Malaysian border. Tight restrictions including curfews, work from home requests and business closures are in place to curb the spread of the virus.

Provincial totals by the government’s new bureau…