Wednesday Covid Update: 2,680 new cases and 35 deaths

2,680 new Covid-19 cases and 35 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. Since April 1, the latest wave of infections, 156,365 Covid infections have been reported in Thailand.

Out of the new cases reported today, 280 were in Thai prisons. In the latest wave of infections, around 30,000 inmates have tested positive for Covid-19. As of yesterday, the Department of Corrections reported more than 13,000 active infections at 12 prisons.

More information on the Covid-19 situation will be reported this afternoon at the CCSA’s daily briefing.

Other updates…

• Around 50% of the population on Koh Samui have been vaccinated against Covid-19. Health officials on the popular Gulf of Thailand island off the coast of Surat Thani have accelerated the immunisation campaign in an effort to reach herd immunity, or 70% of the population inoculated, by the end of the month to reopen the island to foreign tourists under the “Samui Sealed Route” travel model.
• The website www.thailandintervac.com has been launched for Covid-19 vaccinations for foreigners in Thailand. At the moment, registration on the site is only open to expats who are 60 years old or above, and those with certain health conditions that put them at risk of a severe infection.
• The Thai government plans to acquire 20 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 5 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha announced. The vaccines are expected to be delivered within the second half of the year. The government also plans to acquire 8 million more doses of China’s Sinovac vaccine to help reach the goal of 100 million doses acquired by the end of the year.
• China’s Sinopharm vaccines will be used to inoculate factory workers at Thailand industrial estates starting on July 9. Officials plan to inoculate 1,000 workers per day. The immunisation campaign for the factory workers is “crucial,” according to the Industry Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit.