BANGKOK, June 2 — The Thai government has assured the public that there is no evidence to suggest that the COVID-19 variant currently circulating in the country is causing more severe illness, while urging them to continue observing basic health precautions and avoid unnecessary panic.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Persvivatana said the government, led by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation in coordination with the Ministry of Public Health and relevant agencies to safeguard public health.
She said the Department of Disease Control (DDC) has identified NB.1.8.1, a sub-lineage of the JN.1 variant, as the dominant COVID-19 strain currently circulating in Thailand.
“However, there is currently no evidence that the variant causes more severe symptoms or spreads at an unusually rapid rate,” she said in a statement on Tuesday.
According to the DDC, although COVID-19 infections have increased in line with seasonal trends, authorities have not detected any large-scale cluster outbreaks. Most patients are experiencing mild symptoms, and the country’s healthcare system remains capable of managing the situation.
Lalida urged the public to rely on information issued by government agencies and refrain from believing or sharing unverified reports.
She also encouraged people to maintain good personal hygiene, particularly those in high-risk groups such as older persons, individuals with underlying medical conditions, and pregnant women.
Members of the public seeking further information may contact the Department of Disease Control hotline at 1422, which operates 24 hours a day.
Meanwhile, Thai local media reported that 3,642 COVID-19 cases were recorded in Thailand between Jan 1 and May 23, with one fatality reported during the period.
The highest number of infections was recorded among individuals aged 30 to 39, followed by those aged over 60 and those aged between 20 and 29.
The reports also stated that NB.1.8.1 accounted for 50.95 per cent of sequenced cases, making it the dominant strain currently circulating in the country.
