50,000-100,000 COVID-19 cases expected daily after Songkran holiday in Thailand

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Dr Suwannachai said the new daily cases could rise that high because during the festival there would be considerable travelers, risky activities and places and high-risk people.

The Department of Health expected the country to log 50,000 to 100,000 new COVID-19 cases daily following the Songkran festival and urged people to seriously protect themselves from the disease.

Dr Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai, director-general of the department, said the new daily cases could rise that high because during the festival there would be considerable travelers, risky activities and places and high-risk people.

Strict precautions to prevent infections could effectively control the disease, limit fatalities and help maintain the health system of the country, he said.

Dr Suwannachai said that during the Songkran holiday in 2020, strict disease controls were imposed, business and activities were restricted and travel was limited and consequently the number of new COVID-19 cases from April 13 to 15 and from April 18 to May 1, 2020, was low.

During the same periods in 2021 new COVID-19 cases increased because controls were eased, he said. (TNA)