Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s government has urged the public to remain vigilant and follow safety measures as the country faces a rise in COVID-19 cases due to the spread of the new va𓆏riant NB.1.8.1.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the situation is becoming concerning, with the virus showing a significant increase in the Western Pacific, Southeast Asia, and the Eastern Mediterranean, Deputy government spokesperson Anukool Pruksanusak said in a statement on May 31. The spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been increasing since mid-February, with a test positivity rate reaching 11%, the highest since July 2024, according to the WHO. The situation is particularly concerning in 73 countries. While Africa, Europe, and the Americas have relatively low transmission rates of around 2-3%, certain areas, such as the Caribbean and the Andes region in the Americas, see an uptick. Regarding COVID-19 in Thailand, data from May 30 showed 41,283 new cases, bringing the total so far this year to 257,280 cases, with two new deaths, raising the total fatalities to 52. The Bangkok metropolitan area has seen the most cases, followed by Chonburi province, with the highest infection rates among working-age adults, students, children, and elderly populations. Anukool urged the public to monitor the situation closely, especially as the NB.1.8.1 variant continues to spread rapidly in various regions. While the situation in Thailand is not yet at a high level, international travel and the rainy season, which often brings respiratory illnesses, could accelerate future outbreaks. The government and the Ministry of Public Health will continue to monitor the situation closely, assess the spread of new variants, and implement appropriate measures to protect public health, he added. He also called on the public to limit activities that increase the risk of infection, wash their hands regularly, wear masks in crowded places, get booster vaccinations when due, and seek medical attention promptly if experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, or other respiratory problems./.