A total of 111 new cases of coronavirus have been reported today, almost three times more than yesterday’s figure of 38.
The death toll for Thailand was also pushed up to 30, as three foreign men died from the virus over the past 24 hours.
The first man was a 48-year-old Russian who visited Phuket but stayed in Pattaya, the second a 69-year-old Indian man living in Bangkok, and the third a 69-year-old American man who stayed in Buri Ram.
The fact that all three new deaths were foreigners may inflame an already delicate situation where some Thai people are blaming tourists and visitors for the spread of the virus.
Taweesin Visanuyothin, a spokesman for the Covid-19 Situation Administration, said:
“All three are foreigners. We have to connect the virus to travelers from overseas. I was just happy yesterday. …Now we see that the numbers went back up to three digits.”
Phuket, which has locked down many of its towns and imposed a 20,000 baht fine for not wearing a face mask when outside, has the highest rate of active coronavirus cases with 33.9 cases per 100,000 people.
Bangkok has the second-highest rate with 21.6 per 100,000 people and also has the highest number of covid-19 cases in the country.
Of the new cases, 37 people were previously in contact with known infected persons, 42 Thais who had recently returned from overseas, four people who worked in crowded areas, three visitors to crowded places, and two medical workers with the remaining cases still under investigation.
Taweesin reiterated that people should stay at home, practice social distancing, and wear a mask when outside.
A total of 889 people have now recovered from the virus.
Source: Department of Disease Control | Photo: Reuters
