COVID-19 surging in Thailand: over 70,000 new cases

Over the past week, Thailand’s health authorities have recorded a significant increase in COVID-19 cases, with 76,161 new infections and 40 deaths. According to the Department of Disease Control (DDC), the total number of cases in the country since January is now 476,584, with over 72,000 hospitalizations and 154 deaths. The worst-affected areas are Bangkok, Chon Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chiang Mai, and Rayong. Analysis by age group shows that individuals aged 60 and above are the most affected by the disease, followed by those in the 30-39 and 20-29 age groups. The constant increase in infection rates indicates sustained transmission across the country. Therefore, health authorities continue to urge adherence to preventive measures, such as wearing masks in crowded areas, practising hand hygiene, and receiving vaccination boosters, especially for high-risk groups.
Dr Thira Woratanarat from the Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn University observed that COVID-19 remains a serious public health threat and warned against complacency, which could result in a further increase in cases and fatalities.