Thailand sees daily record of over 20,000 COVID-19 cases

August 04, 2021 | 13:33

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Daily new COVID-19 cases in Thailand surpassed the 20,000 benchmark as the country reported 20,200 new infections on August 4 morning, bringing the total to 672,385.

A medic walks through a building that is being transformed into an isolation centre for COVID-19 patients in Bangkok (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Bangkok - According to the Ministry of Health, there were 188 additional deaths in the past 24 hours, the highest number since COVID-19 broke out. The country’s death toll has reached 5,503.

As 16 provinces were added to the lockdown and curfew group, the Thai cabinet on August 3 approved an additional 30 billion THB (906 million USD) in relief measures to help workers and entrepreneurs in those provinces.

Government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri said people and entrepreneurs in the 16 new provinces affected by the lockdown will receive the same rates of financial aid as the 13 provinces already dealing with the government measures, provided via the Social Security Fund.

The latest relief measures are available to nine business sectors including construction, hotels, food services, art, entertainment and recreation.

The Thai government on August 1 extended lockdown measures which have been in place since July 12 for two more weeks. The restrictions in 29 provinces are said to reduce the national GDP by 1 percent, equivalent to 160 billion THB.

VNA

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