The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) plans to use health personnel brought in from the provinces and new medical graduates to help care for the growing number of Covid-19 patients in Bangkok.
CCSA spokeswoman Apisamai Srirangson said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was concerned about the shortage of hospital beds for Covid-19 patients in Bangkok and adjoining provinces.
The prime minister had instructed state agencies to help the capital and surrounding areas increase the number of beds available, particularly for patients with severe symptoms.
She said a meeting yesterday discussed the mobilisation of personnel from all sectors -- including soldiers, health officials in the provinces and medical graduates.
Dr Apisamai said the meeting also discussed allowing infected people to choose home isolation instead of hospitalisation. No conclusion was reached as more information was needed. Several risk factors had to be taken into consideration, she said.
The meeting heard from the Nakhon Pathom governor that the spread of the disease in abattoirs in the central province was caused by the movement of workers.
The CCSA spokeswoman said authorities would hold a meeting with local abattoir operators on Covid-19 control measures and find a place to set up a fourth field hospital in the province.
National Health Security Office secretary-general Jadet Thammathat-Aree said the NHSO was coordinating with private hospitals to increase the number of beds for Covid-19 patients in Greater Bangkok. He said the NHSO is covering medical expenses.