BANGKOK – Thailand has recorded 12 new locally transmitted Covid-19 cases, the highest daily local infections in more than seven months.
All the new cases are linked to a shrimp seller at a market in Samut Sakhon, near Bangkok.
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration’s spokesman Thaweesilp Wissnuyothin said a 67-year-old woman, who sells shrimps at the market and has never travelled abroad, tested positive on December 16.
Following contract tracing, the woman’s 95-year-old mother, 73-year-old sister, 57-year-old sister-in-law and five of her local and foreign workers were tested positive, he said.
The other cases linked to her were four Thais aged between 20 and 49 who visited the market.
“The high number of Covid-19 local transmissions recorded has been due to targeted screening in the area.
“To date, 1,449 people have undergone the Covid-19 test,” he said at a press conference here today.
He added that authorities were investigating the source of infections and stepping up contact tracing.
Meanwhile, deputy prime minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said migrant workers could be the source of infections.
He said health authorities may have to trace and test up to 10,000 people in the area.
“The source is likely from migrant workers, according to a report from the Department of Disease Control chief," said the minister.
Over the last 24 hours, Thailand recorded 34 new cases including 22 imported ones – nine Thais and 13 foreigners who arrived from overseas.
To date, Thailand has recorded 4,331 COVID-19 cases and 60 fatalities. – Bernama, December 19, 2020
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