KHON KAEN: A temple in Muang district has been closed until Feb 14 after nine more novices were diagnosed with Covid-19, raising the number of infections among monks and novices there to 15.
Earlier, six monks and novices tested positive at Wat Nong Waeng, a royal temple on Klang Muang Road in Muang district.
Khon Kaen municipal mayor Theerasak Theetkhayuphan said on Tuesday that subsequent antigen testing of 245 monks, novices and vendors found nine more novices with Covid-19.
The new infections raised the number of cases at the temple to 15, the mayor said.
He had suggested that the abbot temporarily suspend religious activities there and order monks not to collect alms for a week. The temple was closed to the public for seven days, from Feb 8 to Feb 14.
The mayor said people could still make merit by donating food and drink to the temple, which currently has 207 monks and novices.
Khon Kaen reported 173 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday. Now, a total of 3,410 patients received treatment at hospitals, said governor Somsak Jangtrakul.