Photos: Sun Guangyong/People's Daily

Bangkok (People's Daily) - Thailand on Saturday confirmed three new cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus, bringing the total to 3,040 since the virus first arrived in the kingdom in January.

A total of 68 patients remain hospitalized, 2,916 have recovered and returned home, and 56 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 at home. 

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

Public venues such as open-air markets and sports grounds have reopened on May 3, while the shopping malls, restaurants, conference centers and swimming pools reopened on May 17, as part of a phased plan of reopening the country.