More virus control measures will be imposed in the four southernmost provinces to contain the spread of Covid-19 following the recent spike in cases, according to a senior government official.
Gen Supoj Malaniyom, secretary-general of the National Security Council (NSC) and head of the Covid-19 operation centre, said Covid-19 restrictions will be reintroduced in the deep South, as the outbreak has exacerbated.
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is expected to discuss the disease control measures for Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla next Thursday.
"Definitely, we'll impose measures to turn the situation around," he said.
The situation is being monitored by the Public Health Ministry with permanent secretary Kiatiphum Wongrajit expected to visit the region again next week.
Meanwhile, the deep South on Friday reported a total of new 2,310 cases with Yala recording the highest number of infections (776) followed by Narathiwat (592), Pattani (503) and Songkhla (444).
Dr Songkran Maichum, chief of Songkhla provincial public health office, said bed shortages were unlikely as most patients have very mild symptoms. The office said 6,300 people were being treated at hospitals.
However, similar concerns are growing in Pattani, which is seeing a daily caseload of several hundred.
Out of 1,490 hospital beds, 1,305 are occupied.
Its 17 field hospitals can accommodate 2,612 patients but 1,658 beds are taken.
Dr Chaiwat Pattanapisalsak, chief of Narathiwat provincial health office, said authorities are stepping up measures to reduce the fatality rate in the province, which at 1.14% is higher than the national average.
He said most of the fatalities were in the highly vulnerable groups.
