Protect your elderly, govt tells families

Protect your elderly, govt tells families

The government is urging families to do what they can to protect elderly members of their households from the risk of infection while others are forced to work and travel in areas where Covid-19 outbreaks are prevalent.

At its daily briefing yesterday, Dr Apisamai Srirangson, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) assistant spokeswoman, said many infections in families had been brought home from workplaces or spread at gatherings such as religious ceremonies, wedding parties, ordination rites and funerals.

Previously, the CCSA had focused on heightening measures to prevent contagion in public places; but with Covid-19 now so prevalent across the country, households are no longer as safe as they used to be, she said.

"So, if possible, elderly family members and bed-bound patients should be separated from family members who still are travelling into areas where there is a risk of infection," she said. "If that is impossible, please avoid doing the activity together."

Meanwhile, the CCSA recorded 1,940 new cases of Covid-19 yesterday, of which 1,788 were detected under the CCSA's Covid-19 surveillance system while another 142 cases were detected in active case-finding operations.

The remaining 10 were imported cases detected at state Covid-19 quarantine facilities.

Another 21 deaths were reported, bringing the toll to 245 so far, said Dr Apisamai.

Of the 21, eight were in Bangkok, four in Chiang Mai, two each in Chon Buri and Lamphun and one apiece in Nakhon Pathom, Tak, Rayong, Nakon Sawan and Udon Thani, she said.

A total of 1.4 million doses of the vaccine have been administered, she said.

Since the implementation of stricter control measures including the work-from-home policy and shutting down night entertainment venues after Songkran holiday, the overall situation has now begun to improve, as evidenced by a steady fall in the infection rate, she said.

Bed shortages are easing now, with patients only having to wait one or two days, on average, to be admitted for treatment, she added.

Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang, meanwhile, said Bangkok recorded 539 new Covid-19 cases yesterday, 499 of which were among permanent residents.

As the number of new infections in the city continues to rise, the demand for field hospital beds and so-called hospitels is rising as well, he said.

City Hall is therefore preparing to open a fifth field hospital with 400 beds, he said, adding that Bang Bon sports centre in Thung Khru district will be the venue.

There are currently only 734 beds at the first four field hospitals.

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