The first case of Covid-19 Beta variant has been found in Bangkok, a source has disclosed.

An initial investigation found that the infected patient is linked to an infection case in Narathiwat, according to the source.

Department of Medical Sciences director-general Supakit Sirilak will hold a press conference addressing the issue on Monday.

The Beta variant, originally detected in South Africa, is believed to have spread into the South of Thailand via Malaysia.

Meanwhile, 11 new Covid-19 clusters were found in eight provinces on Sunday, with authorities keeping a close watch on factories, markets and construction camps in high-risk areas.

The 11 new clusters -- four of which were reported in Bangkok -- brought the country's total number of active Covid-19 clusters to 111.

Infections in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces are showing no sign of letting up and the situation in some southern provinces is worrisome, a Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) meeting was told.

The meeting, chaired by National Security Council chief Gen Natthapol Nakpanich, found that cases in the northern and southern regions were mostly linked to social gatherings, while most of the infections in the eastern and central regions were reported in factories and large-sized markets.

The surge in Covid-19 infections in Greater Bangkok and the southernmost provinces prompted the government to enforce stricter measures in the provinces for one month starting today.