A total of 32 villages in eight districts of Narathiwat have now been sealed off since late May to help authorities curb the spread of Covid-19 following a sharp increase in infections.
The villages in Tak Bai, Chanae, Sukhirin, Yi-ngo, Cho Airong, Sungai Kolok, Waeng and Sungai Padi districts were closed off on the orders of Narathiwat governor Jessada Jitrat, according to provincial officials.
No one has been allowed to enter or leave these communities until told otherwise by provincial authorities.
The latest village sealed off was the Kabu community in Moo 4 of tambon Sako in Sungai Padi district yesterday. Eleven people were confirmed to be infected with Covid-19 and 32 others were identified as high risk. Food and other supplies have already been distributed to its 416 residents.
However, in Tak Bai district, Moo 5 and Moo 6 villages in tambon Koh Sathon which have been closed for more than a month are expected to reopen on Monday. Nine villages in this tambon were closed in late May after the first cases of the South African variant of Covid-19 were detected.
Provincial authorities have turned the gymnasium at Princess of Naradhiwas University into the province's fifth field hospital with 400 beds to accommodate an expected increase in Covid-19 patients linked to a cluster in Yala where 180 cases were confirmed. Meanwhile, Thesaban Nakhon Yala has joined civic organisations in raising funds to buy vaccines for local residents.