Virus remains 'under control' in Phuket

Virus remains 'under control' in Phuket

PHUKET: This southern tourist island has recorded about 100 new Covid-19 cases a day on average for about a week, with those showing symptoms coming from vulnerable groups.

Dr Koosak Kookiatsakul, Phuket health chief, said yesterday there were 158 new cases from the day before.

Of them, 156 were Thais and migrants who lived in Phuket. Two were foreign participants from the Phuket Sandbox reopening project which began on July 1.

He said 1,226 Covid-19 patients were being treated in hospitals, of whom 85% were asymptomatic, 13% had mild symptoms and 2% were in intensive care units.

"The patients who have symptoms are elderly or have chronic diseases, and none of them have been vaccinated," Dr Koosak said.

Dr Withita Jang-iam, epidemiological expert at Vachira Phuket Hospital, confirmed that it was vulnerable groups who were the sickest.

The province had 1,400 hospital beds, 68% of which were occupied, Dr Koosak said.

Phuket governor Narong Wunciew said the Phuket Sandbox project would continue as Covid-19 was still under control there.

Since the Phuket Sandbox project started on July 1, the island province has welcomed 24,190 foreign tourists, 70 of whom were confirmed to have contracted Covid-19, he said.

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