With today’s figures, the total number of people infected with the deadly virus reached 1.9710 and worsened the crisis in which hospitals and morgues, mainly those in the capital, were already immersed.

It was the first time in many days that Thailand reported less than 20,000 cases, but the authorities warned that they will strictly watch over the observance of the confinement measures to see if they finally overcome the desperate epidemiological situation.

Triggered by the Delta variant of the virus, the third wave of the disease, which began in April, forced the Government to extend until August 31 a virtual blockade to Bangkok and 28 of the 77 provinces of the country, the second in Asia where the virus broke out after China.

The restrictions include travel to other territories, curfew from 9 p.m., limiting meetings to five people and closing restaurants, parks, shopping malls and recreational establishments.

This Thursday, the Health Ministry also reported another 240 deaths due to the disease, bringing the accumulated total to 8,826. Meanwhile, the executive approved a new allocation of 280 million dollars to acquire 20 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine as part of the plan to ensure 100 million vaccines by the end of the year.

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