Chiang Mai Rules Out Lockdown Despite 4,549 COVID Cases
Chiang Mai has recorded 4,549 COVID cases since January with infection rates highest among working-age adults, but provincial health officials say no lockdown is planned as the disease is now treated as endemic like seasonal flu.
Dr Waranyu Chamnongprasatporn, Chiang Mai Provincial Health Officer, released COVID-19 data for the province from January 1 to September 9, revealing 4,549 cumulative cases with a rate of 252.89 per 100,000 population. The highest infection rates were recorded in Mueang Chiang Mai district (616.70 per 100,000), followed by San Sai (446.70), Doi Saket (382.53), San Kamphaeng (364.31), and Hang Dong (340.75). No deaths have been reported.
Most infections occur in the working-age population, with the 30–39 age group accounting for the highest number at 799 cases, followed by those aged 20–29 with 784 cases, and people aged 60 and over with 642 cases.
Chiang Mai currently has no lockdown measures in place. The Ministry of Public Health has reclassified COVID-19 from a communicable disease of concern to an endemic disease, with transmission patterns now resembling seasonal influenza. Health officials recommend the public focus on personal protective measures to reduce transmission, particularly for vulnerable groups. High-density settings such as schools and factories should conduct pre-entry screening, and ATK rapid tests should be deployed in symptomatic individuals or clusters to assess initial COVID-19 infection status.
