Bangkok (NNT/VNA) – The Thaigovernment’s COVID-19 centre has insisted the lower number of new COVID-19cases announced each day is not due to an alleged lesser number of tests, whilehealth authorities are working to increase test numbers according to thesituation.

The Centre for COVID-19 SituationAdministration’s (CCSA) Spokesman Taweesin Visanuyothin has stressed that thedrop in the daily number of new COVID-19 cases is not a result of less testing.

He said 100,498 tests for the coronaviruscausing COVID-19 have been performed in Thailand from February up until April10, using the RT-PCR method.

Test capacity as well as criteria foreligibility have been expanded to cover all groups of patients, and in responseto the current situation.

In the case of a BMTA bus driver who has diedof COVID-19, formally announced by the CCSA on April 16, the spokesman insistedthe authorities had not tried to conceal this information.

He said the BMTA promptly notified healthauthorities according to the protocol, while health workers have been tracingand screening 20 persons who were in close contact with the deceased in thiscase, all of whom are now in self-isolation for symptoms monitoring.

Passengers on buses operated by the thendriver can receive an examination if they exhibit suspicious symptoms.

Regarding Thai nationals overseas who wish toreturn home, Taweesin has clarified that the government does not prohibit theirreturn travel, but rather asks them to comply with the screening measures whichwill start in their current country of residence.

He said Thai nationals abroad are asked totravel back in batches, as authorities in Thailand must come up with supportingprotocols, as well as preparing the staff and facilities.

The CCSA spokesman said he isn’t worried thatprotocols to screen returning Thai nationals from abroad might be seen asunconstitutional, stressing that this is an essential measure to stop thespread of COVID-19 in the country, while also pointing to the declining numberof new cases./.