Thailand reports highest daily COVID-19 fatalities

Health workers disinfect a street in Bangkok (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Bangkok (VNA)– Thailand reported 41 new deaths on May 26, the highest daily death toll sincethe outbreak of the pandemic, raising the total number of fatalities to 873,according to the country's authorities.

It also reported 2,455new infections, bringing the tally to 137,894.

The country’s king hasapproved a decree to allow the Government to borrow up to 500 billion THB(15.95 billion USD) to support efforts in tackling COVID-19, the Royal Gazette reported.

It allows thegovernment to issue bonds or borrow in baht or foreign currencies for a combinedamount up to 500 billion THB, less than the 700 billion THB approved by theCabinet last week.

The new debt will helpfund relief measures aimed at those who hardest-hit by the current wave of thepandemic.

This is the second billpassed to deal with COVID-19 after the 1-trillion-baht borrowing decree lastyear.

The National Economicand Social Development Council (NESDC) said that the Thai economy shrank by 2.6percent year-on-year in the first quarter of this year.

The council also loweredits economic growth forecast for a second time to 1.5-2.5 percent from theprevious 2.5-3.5 percent./.

VNA