New COVID-19 infections could surge to 10,000 a day next week, almost doubling this week’s daily figures as more Delta variant cases have been found, according to the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) today (Wednesday).
Thailand’s COVID-19 infections surged to 6,519 across the country today, with many of them in Bangkok and northeastern provinces being by the Delta variant, according to CCSA Assistant Spokesperson Dr. Apisamai Srirangsan, who said the continued surge in cases especially of the Delta variant could be attributed to interprovincial movements whereby infections from Bangkok and nearby provinces have now spread to 40 other provinces.
With more Delta variant found in Bangkok, overtaking Alpha, the more contagious Delta could cause COVID-19 infections to double, she said.
Bangkok still remains on top of Thailand’s ten provinces with high infection rates, logging 1,549 cases, followed by Samut Prakan (548), Samut Sakhon (434), Nakhon Pathom (266), Chon Buri (262), Chachoengsao (252), Prachuap Khiri Kan (241), Nonthaburi (235), Pathum Thani (212) and Pattani (190).
Two new clusters were found in Bangkok, at a jewelry factory in Bang Na district and at a health care centre for the elderly in Min Buri district, raising the total under close watch to 118.
Dr. Apisamai said that between 40 and 50 severe cases each day are waiting to be admitted to hospitals and between 200 and 300, with moderate symptoms, are waiting for empty hospital beds, which are now in short supply.
She said patients with mild symptoms will be sent to pre-admission centres, as beds in general hospitals are reserved for severe and moderate cases.
She admitted that there are limitations regarding the home isolation scheme, because health officials have to decide, on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the readiness of each patient to be separated from their family members, their behavior and illnesses, if any.
There were 54 new COVID-19 related deaths reported today, 32 men and 22 women. 30 were in Bangkok, 4 in Pattani, 3 each in Samut Prakan and Pathum Thani, 2 each in Nakhon Ratchasima, Yala and Samut Sakhon and one each in Chiang Rai, Phetchaburi, Chon Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Chaiyaphum, Narathiwat, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Ayutthaya.
Cumulative infections, since April 1st, 2021, are 272,309 and the death toll, in the same period, is 2,293. 67,614 people are still undergoing treatment, including 33,991 in general hospitals and 33,623 in field hospitals. 2,496 are severe cases, including 676 who are on ventilators.
