The government on Sunday recorded 829 new coronavirus cases, bringing the accumulated total since the start of the pandemic a year ago to 18,782.

No new deaths were reported, leaving the toll at 77.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said the new infections comprised 822 local cases and seven imports from overseas.

The new local cases included 731 patients diagnosed from active testing: 722 in Samut Sakhon, four in Maha Sarakham and one each in Bangkok, Chon Buri, Pathum Thani, Rayong and Samut Songkhram.

Myanmar migrant workers accounted for 680 active-testing cases in Samut Sakhon, and one each in Bangkok and Samut Songkhram, according to the CCSA.

Samut Sakhon had the most new cases found among hospital and clinic walk-ins -- 79 -- followed by Bangkok (six) and one each in Nakhon Pathom, Chon Buri, Khon Kaen, Ratchaburi, Lop Buri and Samut Songkhram.

Five of the seven imported cases were Thais: two who flew in from Ireland and one each from Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. 

The other two imported cases were an American who arrived from the United States and an Egyptian from Egypt.

Mass testing, which started last week, has been concentrated on the epicentre of the new outbreak in Samut Sakhon, with health workers combing through every area in the province.

CCSA assistant spokesperson Panprapa Yongtrakul said on Sunday health personnel are trying to test as many people as possible.

On Saturday, she warned hundreds of additional new cases could be expected each day as a result of ongoing active testing. "The high figures will continue for some time," she said.

 

 

Bangkok Post