Thailand has recorded its first case of the Delta Plus variant of COVID-19, but there is no cause for concern over its severity, drug or vaccine resistance as the disease being closely monitored, according to Dr. Chawetsan Namwat, director of the Division of Disease Control and Emergency Health Hazards at Disease Control Department (DCD), today (Monday).
He did not elaborate about the case, but said that the Department of Medical Science will hold a press conference on Tuesday to provide more details.
Dr. Chawetsan said that, over the past 28 days, Delta Plus cases in the United Kingdom have increased, accounting for 6% of all the infections involving other variants, mostly the Delta variant.
As far as Thailand is concerned, he said the World Health Organization has not upgraded the Delta Plus variant to a virus of concern, as he asked people in Thailand not to be overly concerned.
While new COVID-19 infections in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces are declining, in line with the nationwide trend, Dr. Chawetsan said infections in southern provinces are still rising, now accounting for 23% of all new infections nationwide.
Citing an analytical study of infections since April 1st this year , he noted that funerals have been a major cause of infections, as people tend to socialise, eat and drink together, sharing the same glasses, not wearing face masks or wearing them improperly, gambling or staying overnight with the funeral hosts.
He also disclosed that several clusters of infections have been detected in flooded areas, especially among children and family members who play together.
On vaccinations, he said that, from February 28th to October 24th, 70,505,802 doses of vaccines have been administered in Thailand. 39,999,692 people have already received their first vaccine shot and 28,372,531 have received two. 2,133,579 have received third shots.
76.2% of the population in the 17 provinces to reopen have been vaccinated, with 100% in Bangkok, 82.7% in Phuket, 72.4% in Samut Prakan and over 50% in the rest of the country having been inoculated.
