BANGKOK – Thailand on Monday reported two more deaths from Covid-19 and 136 new Covid-19 patients, raising the total cases in the country to 1,524.
The national death toll rose to nine, the Public Health Ministry said in the press briefing on Monday.
The two new coronavirus deaths are a 54-year-old man, who returned from religious ceremonies in Malaysia and a 56-year-old woman.
Twenty-three critically-ill patients are now under close medical surveillance. Sixteen more cases have fully recovered.
Among all 136 new infections, the first group of 71 people either had close contact with previous patients or visited the places where patients had been.
They consist of 10 visitors to entertainment venues, two to boxing stadiums, 59 people in close contact with Covid-19 patients.
The second group comprises 21 returnees from other countries, 15 persons who were in crowded areas or worked closely with foreigners, four person who were involved in public transports, 14 persons in other groups and two health professionals.
The number of medical staff, infected with Covid-19 is now 21 in total. Six cases were under investigation.
The Covid-19 Situation Administration Centre said the most cases of the outbreak are centered in Bangkok and Nonthaburi as the new infections have increased in provinces.
The authorities are monitoring risk groups, including staff in restaurants and hotels and drivers in tourist provinces of Krabi and Phuket, returnees from religious ceremonies in Malaysia.
After the increase in patient numbers in Phuket, provincial governor Pakkapong Taweepat ordered the closure of all entry and exit points in the province, except for air travel, put into effect from midnight on Monday until April 30.
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) suspends train services to the three southern birder provinces after the Covid-19 situation in Yala has worsened. (TNA)