According to Rungruang Kitpati, spokesman for the Ministry of Public Health, the number of new daily infections is expected to decline from about 1,000 cases to about 80 within a month if all preventive measures are followed by the public.
Thailand has recorded 40,585 cases of COVID-19 and 99 fatalities since the beginning of the pandemic last year.
The kingdom recently began recording an average of about 1,000 new daily COVID-19 cases. There have been 11,587 cases since 1st April.
Dr Kitpati told a press briefing yesterday that the ministry expects the number of daily cases to fall after the government implemented new measures targeting entertainment venues, mass gatherings in risky areas and the sale of alcohol in restaurants nationwide.
“If we have positive cooperation, we will see the number of new cases dropping from 1,000 per day to only 40–80 per day within one month,” Dr Kitpati said.
The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has also implemented measures to shorten the opening hours of restaurants and convenience stores, among others, to discourage people from moving and control potential sources of the disease, he said.
These measures would help sharply cut the number of new daily cases, Dr Kitpati added.
He said the measures, which have been implemented since 10th April, have shown an encouraging outcome.
Yesterday, the kingdom reported 1,547 new COVID-19 cases, a slight dip when compared with 1,582 on Friday.
Bangkok had the highest number of infections with 279 cases, resulting in the capital tallying a total of 2,976 cases since the recent outbreak that began early this month.
Dr Kitpati said yesterday’s numbers represent a positive indication.
He said cases exceeded 100 only in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Chon Buri, compared with five provinces the day before.
The provinces which reported the most cases on Friday were: Bangkok (279), Chiang Mai (140), Chon Buri (99), Prachuap Khiri Khan (58), Lamphun (45), Samut Sakhon (37), Udon Thani (30), Samut Prakan (27), Pathum Thani (26) and Phitsanulok (25).
The CCSA on Friday strengthened COVID-19 control measures with a special focus on 18 “highest risk” provinces but decided against drastic measures like lockdowns and curfews.
All shops, including 24-hour convenience stores, will have to close between 11pm and 4am every day for two weeks.
All classes and exams are suspended, gatherings of more than 50 people are prohibited, entertainment venues, pubs, bars, karaoke venues, soapy massage parlours and the like are closed for 14 days.
The current wave of the COVID-19 is linked to entertainment venues. Meanwhile, the government is blaming the UK variant for the recent outbreak.
