BANGKOK, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Thailand on Friday reported a whopping 17 new COVID-19 cases, all now under state quarantine, with 15 of them being Thais who have recently returned from India.
According to the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), the cases from India include nine men and six women.
All the 15 tested positive for COVID-19 on Aug. 12, while they were in state quarantine in Thailand's eastern province of Chon Buri, and were all asymptomatic, said Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, the CCSA spokesman.
The other two were a Thai returnee from the United States and a Thai student who returned from Australia.
Taweesin said the government's Travel Bubble Plan is now shelved as second wave infections are sweeping across many countries including New Zealand.
"It is very costly to treat patients diagnosed with COVID-19, it costs the health and well-being of citizens as well as the Thai economy," said Taweesin, "Our Thai skies will remain closed for now."
The Ministry of Education on Thursday granted full resumption of class attendance in all schools across the nation.
The ministry, however, admitted that it is eyeing the situation with a tinge of anxiety and caution.
The ministry said it will see if any infection will occur after two to three weeks of schooling.
Cumulative infections in Thailand, to date, are 3,376, with 3,173 recoveries and 58 deaths, while 145 others are still being treated in hospitals. Enditem
