Photos: People's Daily/Sun Guangyong

Bangkok (People's Daily) - Thailand on Sunday confirmed 8 new cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus, bringing the total to 3,112 since the virus was first detected in the kingdom in January. The new cases are Thai citizens returning from abroad.

A total of 82 patients remain hospitalized, 2,972 have recovered and returned home, and 58 died, according to Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health.

Thailand has enforced a national curfew since April 3. All nationals except medics, emergency workers, personnel delivering medical supplies and patients have been urged to stay at home. 

The national coronavirus response authority decided to extend the state of emergency for another month until June 30, because the curfew and other travel restrictions have slowed the spread of disease. 

Public venues such as open-air markets and sports grounds reopened on May 3, while shopping malls, restaurants, conference centers and swimming pools reopened on May 17. Movie theaters, sports fields and additional commercial activities reopened on June 1 as part of a phased plan of reopening the country.