Photos: Sun Guangyong/People's Daily

Bangkok (People's Daily) - Thailand on Friday confirmed seven new cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus, bringing the total to 2,960 since the virus first arrived in the kingdom in January.

A total of 187 patients remain hospitalized,  2,719 have recovered and returned home, and 54 died from complications related to the disease, according to Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health.

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

The national coronavirus response authority on Monday decided to extend the state of emergency for another month to May 31 as the curfew and other travel restrictions have slowed the spread of the disease. 

Open-air markets and sports grounds were reopened on May 1.