Delta strain spread worries authorities

Health authorities are warning the Delta strain of the novel coronavirus is rapidly spreading throughout the country after the nation logged 57 more Covid-19 fatalities and 5,420 new cases on Monday, bringing the total number of deaths and infections to 2,333 and 294,653 respectively since the start of the pandemic.

Out of the newly reported infections, 5,383 were detected among the general population, while 37 were found in prisons.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said Bangkok again logged the most deaths and new transmissions, with 33 fatalities and 1,492 new cases reported yesterday.

The virus was also detected in eight Thais returning from other countries — three each from Malaysia and Myanmar, and one each from Cambodia and Ethiopia, according to the CCSA.

Thailand has been registering more than 5,000 new transmissions every day since the start of July, with the daily death toll hovering around 50. The most deaths reported in a single day were 61, recorded on Friday.

CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin confirmed the Public Health Ministry’s warning about the danger of the Delta strain, with the variant on course to overshadow other strains throughout the country after dominating Bangkok.

The Delta variant, first found in India, is more infectious than other types of the coronavirus, Dr Taweesilp said.

Between June 28 and July 2, the strain accounted for 52% of new infections in Bangkok, ministry data showed. While responsible for only 18% of new cases in other provinces during that period, the proportion was more than double than 7% recorded June 21-27.

“Other regions are following the same pattern as Bangkok,” Dr Taweesilp said.

He advised the public to wear two masks to help stave off the Delta variant — even if they had already received two shots of Covid-19 vaccine.

“We have to adjust our lives to cope with it,” he said.

Dr Taweesilp said the Alpha and Delta variants remain the most prevalent strains found in the country, the first cases of which were reported in April and June, respectively.

The Delta strain has been found in the Northeast and the North in increasing numbers, he said.

The Beta strain, which was first detected in South Africa, is another variant of concern for health authorities, although its spread have been largely limited to some areas in the three southernmost provinces, Surat Thani as well as Chon Buri.