Virus claims another 27 lives, infects 2,044 people

Of the deaths, 18 were in Bangkok, two each in Samut Prakan and Nonthaburi and one each in Chaiyaphum, Chachoengsao, Ranong, Rayong and Pathum Thani.

The ages of those who succumbed to the virus ranged between 30 and 90, and most suffered from chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and other complications.

Bangkok is again leading the list with 869 confirmed infections, followed by 201 in Nonthaburi and 165 in Samut Prakan.

Also included in the list of infected are four Thai returnees, three from Malaysia and one from Tanzania.

Separately, 2,377 patients have recovered and been discharged in the last 24 hours.

As of Friday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 78,855. Of these, 75,498 had been contracted locally, including 23,167 who were found via proactive testing, while 3,357 were returnees.

So far, 49,172 have recovered and been discharged, 29,320 patients are still in hospitals, and 363 have died.

Meanwhile, another 33,539 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, while 16,410 people were given their second shot, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in Thailand to 1,651,782.

Separately, according to Worldometer, as of 11am on Friday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 156.68 million (up by 846,453), 134.04 million of whom have recovered, 19.38 million are active cases (110,301 in severe condition) and 3.26 million have died (up by 13,774).

Thailand ranks 98th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 33.36 million, followed by India 21.48 million, Brazil 15 million, France 5.72 million and Turkey 4.97 million.