Covid-19 outbreaks have sprung up in 518 factories in 49 provinces where 36,861 workers have been infected since April 1, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).
CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin said on Friday that Phetchaburi province had the highest tally, with 4,464 workers infected in that time, followed by 3,487 in Phetchabun, 2,538 in Prachuap Khiri Khan, 2,496 in Samut Sakhon and 2,209 in Songkhla province.
Fifteen provinces each had 1,000 or more infected workers, five provinces had 501-999 infected factory workers and 29 provinces fewer than 500.
The hardest-hit industry was the food sector with 99 factories hit by Covid-19, followed by 74 electronics factories, 42 garment factories, 42 metal factories and 36 plastic factories.
There were 64,038 factories nationwide and 18,005 were evaluated for their Covid-19 control measures, of which 68% passed disease control criteria.
"Export-oriented industries are the remaining engine of the Thai economy," Dr Taweesilp said.
