COVID-19: Thailand reports two new cases, one death

Thailand has reported two new COVID-19 cases and one fatality in the last 24 hours, bringing the tally to 3,042 cases and 57 deaths since the outbreak in January.

Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokesman Thaweesilp Wissanuyothin said the latest fatality was a 68-year-old woman from the southern province of Chumphon who was a close contact of a confirmed patient. She also had a history of diabetes, kidney problems and high blood pressure.

He said the two new cases were a Chinese woman who was the wife of an Italian, a confirmed COVID-19 patient at the resort island of Phuket, and a 55-year-old Thai masseuse, who was quarantined at a state facility in Chonburi after her return from Russia.

"To date, more than 96 per cent of the patients or 2,928 have recovered and were discharged from hospitals. A total of 57 patients are still warded," he said at a COVID-19 daily briefing here today.

As Thailand continued to record single digits in new cases, the kingdom is expected to kick off the third phase of easing restrictions on June 1.

Deputy director-general of the Disease Control Department, Tanarak Plipat, said businesses and venues that are under moderate risk of COVID-19 (yellow zone) are expected to reopen and resume operations in the next phase of relaxation.

"CCSA is expected to announce the list, probably on Wednesday or Thursday,'' he said, as quoted by Bangkok Post.

Boxing stadiums, massage parlours, spas, cinemas, bowling alleys, amusement parks, convention venues, trade exhibition centres and tutorial schools are businesses and venues under moderate risk and expected to resume operations.

However, pubs, bars and night entertainment venues will remain closed.

On Friday, CCSA, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan o-cha, agreed to extend the state of emergency until June 30.

The meeting also discussed the possibility of shortening a night-time curfew, which now runs from 11 pm to 4 am.

The extension is subject to Cabinet approval tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA