Korat cases hit new high:

Three strains wreak havoc in Chumphon

Nakhon Ratchasima recorded 192 new Covid-19 cases yesterday, while three Covid-19 variants ravaged Chumphon and caused 408 infections in the southern province.

Nakhon Ratchasima’s communicable diseases committee yesterday said the province reported the highest number of new Covid-19 cases since records began at the start of the pandemic.

Forty-seven cases were found among travellers from “red zone” provinces, 46 were found among patients transferred from Bangkok Metropolitan Hospital, while 78 other contracted the virus locally.

As of yesterday, there were 2,994 patients being treated for Covid-19 in the province.

As the spread continues unabated, many tourist attractions in the province were closed to help contain the outbreak. Among those closed were Khao Phaengma, a natural forest reserve which is popular for wild bull spotting.

The chief of Khao Phaengma natural reserve, Annop Buanuan, said the forest was closed to visitors to prevent contagion in the area.

Separately, Chumphon Provincial Health Office director Jirachat Rueangwacharin said three variants of the novel coronavirus are currently spreading in the province — namely the Alpha, Beta and Delta.

He also warned people to take care of themselves and follow recommended measures.

According to Chumphon’s Public Health Office, 408 infections and two deaths from Covid-19 were reported on Saturday.

In total, 169 people have recovered but 237 remain hospitalised in the province as of Saturday.

Dr Jirachat said 14 staff of Ban Bang Mai Kaew School were found to be infected, so medical experts have been sent out to carry out active case finding on some 600 people in and around the school.

Meanwhile, Surachoke Tangwiwat, Food and Drug Administration deputy secretary, said the FDA has approved five Covid-19 antigen test kit brands, which can now be bought from medical retailers, government authorities and pharmacies for 250 baht each.

He said test kits must be approved by the FDA and cannot be sold online.

The kits will have “for general use” indicated on the package and instructions to use the kit can be accessed on the Medical Equipment Control Department website.

“There will be the manufacturer name and a QR code that will lead to a demonstration video,” he said.