Thailand scrambles to contain virus, get vaccines

Thailand came under pressure to secure coronavirus vaccines after officials reported 527 new cases on Tuesday. Most of the surge since last month has been in the province next to Bangkok, among workers living in dormitories and employed in fish markets and factories.

A field hospital next to the market is treating the infected migrants. Of the new cases confirmed on Tuesday, 439 were migrants, 82 were local transmissions and six were in quarantined travelers, the Center of COVID-19 Situation Administration said. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Monday said his administration will negotiate to look for vaccines from different countries, seeking to secure 63 million doses, which wouldn't cover half of its population of about 70 million. It so far has about 28 million doses on order for later in the year. Thailand currently has confirmed 8,966 confirmed cases with 65 deaths. The outbreak has now spread to 56 of Thailand's 77 provinces.