The number of Covid-19 cases is continuing to drop across the country, but individuals considered at high risk of contracting the disease should ensure their vaccinations are up to date to prevent hospitalisation and/or death, said permanent secretary for public health, Opas Karnkawinpong, yesterday.
Dr Opas said between July 16-22, 556 people were admitted to hospital for Covid-19 treatment -- 178 of whom had developed serious symptoms.
Meanwhile, eight people died from Covid-19 last week, all of whom were either senior citizens over 60, had an underlying medical condition which aggravated the infection, were unvaccinated or had their last booster shot over three months ago, he said.
Out of the 749 deaths from Covid-19 reported this year, the majority lived in crowded communities and/or multi-family dwellings.
He said 116 of those deaths were reported in Bangkok.
Dr Opas said urged the public to get a booster shot, as the Department of Disease Control (DDC) has estimated that the number of Covid-19 infections will rise again at the beginning of the cool season at the end of the year.
The warning is based on the fact that over the past six months, the number of new infections has steadily fallen as the number of booster doses administered increased, he said.
He also said that the DDC had contacted its affiliated clinics in Bangkok and other provinces to promote Covid-19 preventive measures such as mask-wearing or social distancing, especially among people in high-risk groups.
