The 12 boys and their soccer coach who were rescued from a flooded cave in Thailand after an 18-day ordeal lost an average of 4 pounds — but are in generally good physical and mental condition, an official said Wednesday.

The youngsters “took care of themselves well at the cave,” Thongchai Lertwilairatanapong, a public health inspector, told reporters at the hospital in Chiang Rai city where the group is recuperating.

The four boys rescued Sunday can eat normal food, while the four pulled out Monday were eating soft food, he said, adding that one member of the final group that arrived Tuesday had a slight lung infection.

Thongchai said two boys from the first group also had a lung infection and will need medicine for seven days.

He said the trapped boys and their coach managed to survive by drinking water dripping into the cave.

“To not receive food, we can still survive for many months but what’s necessary is water, which the cave has, and around this time there’s a lot in the cave, and they chose clean water to drink,” he said.

Each of the boys, ages 11 to 16 and with no diving experience, was guided out by a pair of divers through rocky, muddy and water-filled passages that in places were just inches across.

The boys were being kept in isolation at the hospital to prevent infections by outsiders, but relatives have seen at least some of them from behind a glass barrier.

After a period of time with no problems, the family members will be permitted to get closer while wearing sterilized clothing.

On Wednesday, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha thanked the rescuers.

In a nationally televised address, Prayuth said the government’s efforts, the help of people in Thailand and abroad, and the outpouring of moral support made the mission a success.

He also acknowledged the loss of a former navy SEAL, Saman Kunan, who died last week while replenishing air tanks inside the cave.

“His honor, sacrifice and legacy will forever be in our hearts,” Prayuth said.

With Post wires