There were 30 new local Covid-19 fatalities reported on Friday, for a toll of 548, and 2,256 new cases, raising the total to 96,050.
The Public Health Ministry said that in the previous 24 hours there were 2,073 new cases in the general public, and 183 infected prison inmates.
In the third Covid-19 wave, starting early last month, total cases had risen to 67,187. Of these, 34,890 had recovered, including 1,701 who were discharged on Thursday.
Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, told a press conference later that the 30 new fatalities comprised 11 in Bangkok, four in Ratchaburi province, two each in Pathum Thani and Sa Kaeo and one each in Samut Prakan, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Sukhothai, Maha Sarakham, Chiang Rai, Suphan Buri, Nonthaburi, Roi Et, Phatthalung and Surat Thani.
Nineteen fatalities had hypertension. Other chronic diseases among the new death cases included diabetes, high cholesterol, renal disease, heart disease, liver disease, lung disease, cancer and obesity.
Thirteen fatalities contracted Covid-19 from infected family members and relatives. Two joined events and parties. Three went to crowded places. Ten visited risk provinces and two others drove taxis.
Sixteen death cases were men and 14 women. They were 15-85 years old. The youngest case had brain disability and was bed-ridden.
The 2,256 new cases over the past 24 hours included 2,068 local infections in 61 provinces, 1,523 of which were confirmed at hospitals and 545 via mass testing.
Bangkok logged the most, 1,087, followed by 157 in Pathum Thani, 131 in Nonthaburi, 121 in Samut Prakan, 64 in Chon Buri, 52 in Prachuap Khiri Khan, 46 in Samut Sakhon, 33 in Rayong, 29 in Ayutthaya and 25 in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
“The number of new cases in Greater Bangkok was three times as much as those in other provinces,” Dr Taweesilp said.
Sixteen provinces were free of Covid-19 cases in 24 hours. They were Lamphun, Lop Buri, Surin, Trat, Tak, Nan, Kalasin, Phayao, Loei, Chai Nat, Nong Khai, Mae Hong Son, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Bung Kan, Uthai Thani and Satun.
Five new cases were quarantined Thai returnees from Cambodia, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. All of them were asymptomatic.
Of the 96,050 total cases, 62,316 (64.88%) recovered and 33,186 were at hospitals including 1,203 seriously ill patients and 408 dependent on ventilators.
Global Covid-19 cases rose by 743,191 in 24 hours to 161.82 million. The worldwide death toll went up by 13,398 to 3.36 million. India logged 343,288 new cases for a total of 24.05 million and 3,999 new fatalities for a toll of 262,350.
Thailand ranked 94th globally by its number of total cases, Dr Taweesilp said.
