Thailand Reports Record Daily Cases Of COVID-19 Due To Prison Cluster

ILLUSTRATION/PIXABAY

JAKARTA - Thailand announced a daily record of new coronavirus cases on Thursday after the discovery of clusters at two prisons involving nearly 3,000 inmates.

Among the infected inmates was an anti-government protest leader who was detained while awaiting trial for insulting the king.

Authorities reported 32 deaths due to COVID-19 and 4,887 infections, the new highest daily number after 2,835 prisoners were added to the tally after mass testing was conducted on thousands of inmates at two Bangkok prisons.

A prison department official said those infected included Panupong "Mike Rayong" Jadnok, 24, who has been in custody since March 8 on charges including inciting and insulting King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

He was the fourth member of the youth-led movement charged with lese majeste to be declared positive in prison, or within days of his release.

Thailand reported the largest outbreak so far, with the total number of cases tripled to 93,794 and deaths increased fivefold to 518 in the past six weeks, after a year of successfully stemming the virus.

Human Rights Watch in a statement said inmates in Thailand should be better protected.

"In addition to providing health care and virus testing, authorities should reduce the prison population through supervised release programs for those detained on charges of political pattern and minor offenses, or who face greater risk due to subordinate health conditions," Antara reported from Reuters on Thursday, May 13.

Other infected protest leaders were Arnon Nampa and Chukiat "Justin" Sangwong, and Panusaya "Rung" Sithijirawattanakul, who were declared positive a few days after his release on bail.

A prison official said Panusaya may have been infected at home because surrounding inmates tested negative for the virus.

The increase in cases is quite challenging for Thailand at a time when only 1.3 million people have been inoculated to fight the coronavirus.

Authorities say all residents are entitled to free vaccinations when mass immunizations begin in June, but Bangkok health official Parnrudee Manomaipiboon on Thursday said Thai nationals would be a priority, with the goal of starting to register foreigners starting Aug.