Thailand Hopes COVID-19 Second Wave Slows Down In Two Weeks

BANGKOK, Jan 12 (Bernama) -- Thailand is hopeful the second wave of COVID-19 outbreaks since mid-December will slow down in two weeks. The latest outbreak at a seafood market in Samut Sakhon saw the number of COVID-19 cases soar to almost 6,000 cases in more than three weeks. The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokesman, Thaweesilp Wissanuyothin said a total of 19 provinces in the kingdom had not reported any COVID-19 cases in the latest outbreak. “To date, 21 provinces have no new cases reported in last seven days. “From the analysis conducted by Ministry of Public Health, the current wave of COVID-19 outbreak is stable and likely to slow down by end of January,” he said at a daily COVID-19 briefing Monday. Over the last 24 hours, Thailand recorded 249 new COVID-19 cases including 224 local transmissions and zero death, bringing the tally in the kingdom to 10,547 cases and 67 deaths. He said a total of 25 cases were imported including 14 arrivals from Myanmar and 11 at alternative state quarantine (ASQ) centres. Meanwhile, Thailand has tightened its enforcement at the borders to curb the entry of Thais returning from Myanmar. Local media reported that hundreds of Thais working at a casino in Myanmar’s Myawaddy town, which borders Thailand, are expected to move back through Tak province as the government has temporarily reopen checkpoints to allow them to return home. The temporary reopening of the checkpoints is aimed to preventing Thai workers from sneaking back into the kingdom and posing infection risk to the local community. -- BERNAMA