The surge of cases in Samut Sakhon province threatens to undo months of efforts to contain the virus and hasten recovery of Thailand’s ailing economy. Cases related to the outbreak have already been reported in more than a dozen other provinces, including Bangkok. The city’s more than 700 state schools and nurseries have been ordered to close for 12 days starting Thursday. Contact tracing has found suspected cases for testing as well as areas to be disinfected. The new wave of coronavirus cases abroad already means Thailand’s economic rebound will be slowed as the global economy will take longer to recover, Prayuth said in a televised speech Tuesday evening.

Source: Manila Times December 24, 2020 03:56 UTC