53 new Covid-19 cases highest in weeks
Thailand saw a sudden spurt in Covid-19 patients with 53 new cases confirmed over a 24-hour period, and one death, Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman of the government's Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, said on Saturday.
The number was the highest since April 9 when there were 54 new cases.
The total number of Covid-19 patients rose to 2,907.
Of the total, 2,547 have recovered while there have been 51 fatalities.
Of the 53 new cases, 42 are illegal migrant workers at the detention centre at the Sadao checkpoint bordering Malaysia in Songkhla province, seven in Yala, two in Bangkok, one in Chonburi and one in Phuket.
Of the 42 illegal workers, 34 are from Myanmar, three are Vietnamese, two are Malaysian and one each from Yemen, Cambodia and India.
Dr Taweesin added that the finding of these 42 cases was a result of the country's proactive action.
Thailand recently announced in the Royal Gazette that Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia and Myanmar have been added to the list of countries and territories considered as high risk for the new coronavirus (Covid-19) infection.
He said that the state authorities will focus more on screening for confirmed cases of foreigners living in Thailand.
State officials in Songkhla province have reportedly made arrangements to treat 42 illegal migrant workers, who are infected with Covid-19, at the detention centre at the Sadao border checkpoint.
There are a total of 115 persons who have been detained at the venue. After these 42 workers were found to be infected, the other 73 were moved to another room for observation.
State officials are pondering whether to send these 42 cases to hospitals or to treat them at the detention centre.
Bangkok has the highest number of cumulative cases at 1,478, followed by Phuket 201, Nonthaburi 152, Samut Prakarn 111, Yala 106, Chonburi 87, Pattani 79, Chiang Mai 40, and Pathum Thani 37.
There are 47 provinces which have not had any new cases in the past 14 days.
Thailand will also step up screening measures on borders where transfer of goods takes place. The transfer must be quick and transport vehicles have to go back to theit countries immediately after the transfer. Drivers are banned from getting off the vehicles uness necessary.
Thai drivers who transport products to neigbouring countries will have to return to Thailand within seven hours. If they return latet than that, they will be placed in quarantine for 14 days.
