COVID: Thailand records 186 cases, no deaths

BANGKOK, Feb 8 -- Thailand has seen a decline in new COVID-19 cases as it recorded 186 new cases and zero fatalities over the last 24 hours, bringing the infection tally in the kingdom to 23,557 and the death toll remaining at 79.

On Sunday, Thailand recorded 237 new cases.

Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) assistant spokesperson Dr Apisamai Srirangsan said of the new cases today, 176 were local transmissions, including 141 seeking treatment at hospitals and 35 through active case detection. The remaining 10 cases were imported.

“To date, 21,006 of the total number of cases in Thailand have been local transmissions and 2,551 imported cases. A total of 17,410 patients have recovered and discharged while 6,068 patients are still receiving treatment in hospitals and field hospitals.

“Although the number of new cases detected through active case detection had reduced significantly, mass testing (targeted areas) will continue,” she said at the COVID-19 daily briefing here today.

Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan o-cha said Thailand would continue negotiations to seal deals to secure COVID-19 vaccines with other manufacturers in a bid to vaccinate 50 per cent of its population by end of the year.

“The government is not relying on a sole vaccine to meet its COVID-19 vaccine needs,” he was quoted to have said by Bangkok Post.

Prayuth added that the decision to procure vaccines was made after weighing their efficacy, storage and management. 

Thailand has ordered 61 million doses of Oxford-AstraZenecaCOVID-19 vaccine and another two million doses from China’s Sinovac Biotech. 

To date, Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted a one-year emergency use approval for imported COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca Plc and University of Oxford.

-- BERNAMA