Thailand logged a record 239 new Covid-19 fatalities and 20,128 new cases over the previous 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry reported on Tuesday morning.
On Monday, 20,791 Covid-19 patients recovered and were discharged from hospitals — slightly more than the number of new cases.
The previous high of daily Covid-19 fatalities was 235 on Aug 10, when there were 19,843 new cases. The all-time high of daily Covid-19 cases in Thailand was the 23,418 reported on Friday.
Only a quarter of fatallities were chronically ill
According to an update later, the 239 new fatalities ranged from 22-105 years old. Of them, 235 were Thais, three Myanmar and one Chinese; 66% were at least 60 years old, and only 25% had chronic diseases.
Five patients died at home – four in Bangkok and one in Saraburi. Another Covid fatality was a pregnant Myanmar woman in Samut Sakhon. A further 116 either lived in or visited outbreak areas, 43 contracted the virus from acquaintances and 42 got it from family members.
Bangkok had 79 new fatalities while there were 53 more in its adjacent provinces – Samut Sakhon (18), Nonthaburi (14), Samut Prakan (11), Nakhon Pathom (7) and Pathum Thani (3).
Fifty-nine Covid deaths were reported in central provinces — Lop Buri (25), Chon Buri (10), Saraburi (5), Ang Thong (5), Prachin Buri (4), Rayong (3), Nakhon Nayok (3), Chanthaburi (1), Chachoengsao (1), Phetchaburi (1) and Prachuap Khiri Khan (1).
The South reported 18 new deaths – in Pattani (5), Narathiwat (3), Yala (2), Chumphon (2), Phatthalung (2), Ranong (2), Songhla (1) and Trang (1).
The Northeast had 21 more fatalities – in Roi Et (5), Surin (4), Nakhon Ratchasima (4), Chaiyaphum (3), Khon Kaen (2), Kalasin (1), Ubon Ratchathani (1) and Si Sa Ket (1).
The North reported nine more deaths – in Nakhon Sawan (3), Phichit (3), Phitsanulok (1), Uttaradit (1) and Chiang Mai (1).
New cases dip, but still over 20,000
The 20,128 new Covid-19 cases over the past 24 hours included 19,846 local infections, 272 among prison inmates and 10 imported cases.
Of the local infections, 16,349 were confirmed at hospitals and 3,497 via mass testing.
Bangkok logged 4,397 new cases, followed by 1,843 in Samut Sakhon, 1,200 in Samut Prakan, 1,182 in Chon Buri, 983 in Nonthaburi, 454 in Ayutthaya, 403 in Chachoengsao, 398 each in Saraburi and Ratchaburi and 397 in Si Sa Ket.
Greater Bangkok had 9,061 new cases and 132 new deaths. Four southern border provinces reported 699 new cases and 11 new fatalities. The 67 other provinces collectively recorded 10,086 new cases and 96 more deaths.
The 10 imported cases were from Russia (2), Malaysia (5), Myanmar (1) and Cambodia (2).
Half a million new cases worldwide
Since April 1, around when the third wave of Covid-19 began, there have been 919,579 Covid-19 patients in Thailand, with 703,011 recovering so far..
Since the pandemic started early last year, there have been 948,442 Covid-19 cases, 730,437 of whom recovered.
The death toll was at 7,879 the third wave and 7,973 from the beginning of the pandemic early last year.On Monday, 210,032 people received treatment for Covid-19 at hospitals. Of them, 5,536 were seriously ill and 1,169 were dependent on ventilators.
About 24.10 million people have so far received Covid-19 vaccinations in the country, including 5.23 million with two jabs 501,477 people with a third dose.
Global Covid-19 cases rose by 521,266 in 24 hours to 208.69 million. The worldwide death toll went up by 7,627 to 4.38 million.
The United States had the most cases at 37.74 million, up by 103,697, and the most deaths at 638,798, up 308. Thailand ranked 34th globally for its 948,442 accumulated cases.
