BANGKOK – A total of 7,000 beds are being prepared at unused areas in two international airports – Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi – here, amid a rapid increase in fresh Covid-19 infections, especially in the capital city.
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said Airports of Thailand has agreed for the field hospitals to be set up at the unused areas within the airports to accommodate more Covid-19 patients.
The recently completed satellite terminal at Suvarnabhumi will provide at least 5,000 beds, he added.
“Don Mueang is in the process of preparing a warehouse building area to set up a 2,000-bed field hospital for patients with mild symptoms,” he was quoted saying by The Nation.
Over the last 24 hours, Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration spokesman Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin said Thailand has recorded 9,539 new Covid-19 cases and 86 deaths, bringing the total infections in the country to 336,371 and total fatalities to 2711.
Bangkok, the epicentre of the latest outbreak, logged 2,741 cases and 39 deaths. It also logged 126 clusters, so far.
Of the 9,539 fresh infections, Dr Taweesin said 9,521 were local transmissions, of which 2,305 were found via active case detection.
To limit movement, Defence Forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces chief Chalermpol Srisawat said local administrative officials and security forces have been deployed to almost 150 checkpoints here, and in nine provinces under the “maximum and strict controlled area” since Saturday.
Thailand is set to implement stringent measures to contain the virus starting today.
Curfew will be imposed from 9pm to 4am here, and in nine other provinces from today. – Bernama, July 12, 2021
