CHIANG MAI: Thirty-six new Covid-19 cases have been confirmed in Chiang Mai, raising cases linked to infections at local entertainment venues to 47 in four days.
The new cluster of infections at local entertainment places jumped to 47 cases in four days and all have been hospitalised, said the panel.
The Chiang Mai communicable disease control panel on Thursday reported that there were 36 new cases in this northern province, bringing the total infections to 116.
Dr Chatuchai Maneerat, chief of Chiang Mai public health office, said the new infections were found to have been linked to seven local entertainment venues.
They are Warm Up Cafe Chiang Mai, Tha Chang Café Chiang Mai, DC Chiang Mai, Infinity Club Chiang Mai, Ground, Living Machine and Consol’s Garden.
To cope with a surge in new cases, the provincial communicable disease control panel will set up a field hospital at the Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre. It will be operational on April 9.
Deputy Chiang Mai governor Weeraphan Dee-on said on Thursday that the communicable disease control committee ordered the closure of all entertainment venues including pubs and karaoke bars for seven days from April 9. All entertainment places which opened on Thursday were also asked to submit lists of customers to the provincial panel.
The panel also resolved to ban alcohol consumption at all types of restaurants during the same period, said the deputy governor.
People who travel from five at-risk provinces — Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani and Nakhon Pathom — are required to register their arrivals via CM Chana app and to isolate themselves for 14 days, said Mr Weeraphan.
The Chiang Mai provincial public health office on Thursday urged those who visited the six entertainment places to take Covid-19 tests at hospitals near their houses. They could also take nasal swab tests at mobile testing units in front of Warm Up Café from 9.30am to 3pm between April 8 and 9, according to the Chiang Mai public relations Facebook page.
Chiang Mai is on the list of 41 provinces where all entertainment venues will be ordered to close for at least two weeks from Friday to contain the outbreak.
Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, said in Bangkok on Thursday that all bars, pubs and clubs in 41 provinces would be closed for at least two weeks.
