Thailand reports daily record of 10,082 new coronavirus cases

Thailand on Saturday reported a new daily record of 10,082 new coronavirus cases and 141 new deaths, as authorities are considering bringing in tighter restrictions to contain soaring infections in the latest outbreak that started in April. The new cases bring the total number of infections to 391,989 cases and 3,240 fatalities since the pandemic started, the country’s COVID-19 taskforce said.

Responding to the situation, the government imposed a nation-wide ban on public gatherings and is considering more restrictions on movement as authorities reported record numbers of new cases and deaths on Saturday, despite partial lockdowns in Bangkok and nine other provinces this week. A ban on public gatherings has been imposed, with a maximum penalty of a two-year jail term or a fine of up to 40,000 baht ($1,219.88) or both, an announcement on the official Royal Gazette published late on Friday showed. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said that the government is considering more restrictions as the country battles its worst coronavirus outbreak yet, fueled by the highly transmissible Alpha and Delta COVID-19 variants since early April.

A ban on public gatherings has been imposed, with a maximum penalty of a two-year jail term or a fine of up to 40,000 baht ($1,219.88) or both, an announcement on the official Royal Gazette published late on Friday showed.