Wednesday Covid Update: 228 deaths and 14,176 new cases

228 coronavirus-related deaths and 14,176 new Covid-19 cases 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 recorded a total of 1,293,656 confirmed Covid-19 cases.

In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has recorded 16,769 more recoveries. There are now 142,644 active Covid-19 cases in Thailand.

Out of the new cases, 506 were found in correctional facilities. More than 40,000 inmates in Thailand’s overcrowded prisons have tested positive for Covid-19 over the past several weeks. New infections at the jails and detention centres have been reported on a daily basis.

Other updates…

• If the Covid-19 infection rate continues to decline, the government may decide not to extend the Emergency Decree, which was put in place last year to combat the spread of Covid-19.
• The Public Health Ministry plans to import Molnupiravir, which is claimed to be the first oral drug to quickly block the Covid-19 virus, according the Thai government’s news bureau. Health officials will give approval if the drug’s phase 3 trials are successful.