Thirteen cases of KP.2 and KP.3, or FLiRT sub-variant of the COVID-19 Omicron JN.1 variant have been found in Thailand, but there are, as yet, insufficient data on its severity, according to Dr. Yongyot Thummavudhi, director-general of the Medical Sciences Department.
He said that Omicron JN1 and its sub-variants are still the dominant COVID virus in Thailand adding, however, that JN.1, which is the offshoot of the BA.2.86 variant, is twice as transmissible and has become the dominant variant in 116 countries.
Of more than 500 JN.1 cases detected in Thailand, KP.2 and KP.3 cases account for just 1.79% and 0.79% respectively.
There has been a case of XDK1 and a case of XDR1, which are sub-variants of JN.1 blending with other variants. Again, Dr. Yongyot said that there is no evidence that XDR1 or XDK1 is more severe or transmissible than the other sub-variants.
Regarding COVID infections in general, he said that the infection rate in the past two weeks increased slightly, which is not unexpected as the virus has become endemic and new cases will be found throughout the year.
He asked the public not to panic but to take precautionary measures, such as wearing face masks in or avoiding crowded places and washing hands frequently.
