Public health permanent secretary Kiatiphum Wongrajit predicts that because of the loosening of restrictions on businesses and activities, the number of COVID-19 infections is unlikely to fall below 10,000 and the disease will become endemic.
Dr Wongrajit said on Tuesday that the rate of daily coronavirus infections would gradually decrease but is likely to stay around 10,000 and will definitely not fall to zero.
He believed the COVID-19 disease would soon become endemic in areas where patients developed no severe symptoms and many were vaccinated, such as Bangkok and Phuket.
Dr Wongrajit said the hospital bed shortage problem has gradually improved. However, people should not be careless and should wear face masks, regularly wash hands and observe social distancing, he added.
