71 new cases reported, most of them in Samut Sakhon

Of the 41 people exposed to the disease while visiting high-risk areas, 34 were in Samut Sakhon, three in Prachinburi, two in Tak and one each in Bangkok and Pathum Thani provinces.

Meanwhile, proactive testing led to the discovery of seven cases -- six in Samut Sakhon and one in Pathum Thani.

Of the overseas travellers found to be infected in quarantine facilities, 19 Thais had returned from Denmark, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. Foreigners included a Palestinian who had travelled from Lebanon, a Vietnamese from Zambia, as well as a Pakistani, and an American from their respective countries.

Meanwhile, 33 patients have recovered and been discharged.

As of Monday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 26,441. Of these, 23,580 had been contracted locally, including 14,688 who were found via proactive testing, while 2,861 were returnees. So far, 25,777 have recovered and been discharged, 579 patients are still in hospitals, and 85 have died.

According to Worldometer, as of 10am on Monday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 117.44 million (up by 371,812), 92.96 million have recovered, 21.88 million are active cases (89,499 in severe condition) and 2.6 million have died (up by 5,734).

Thailand ranks 115th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 29.7 million, followed by India 11.23 million, Brazil 11 million, Russia 4.32 million and the United Kingdom 4.21.