COVID cases surge following Songkran
THE NUMBER OF COVID-19 inpatient cases has increased as expected after Songkran celebrations as the JN.1 strain remains dominant in the country, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) said last Sunday (Apr 21).
DDC director-general Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn said there were 1,004 new reported COVID-19 inpatients, a daily average of 143 new cases, and three deaths in the week ending Apr 20. The deceased were in the risk group covering elderly people, those with chronic diseases and pregnant women.
Besides many parties and gatherings during Songkran festivities, Dr Thongchai said COVID inpatient cases rose because patients mostly showed mild symptoms similar to flu and were unaware of their infection, and therefore did not isolate themselves.
The JN.1 subvariant of COVID-19’s Omicron variant is still the dominant strain in Thailand.
Since the first case of the JN.1 strain was confirmed in Thailand late last year, there are no indicators that it will cause more severe symtoms than the Omicron variant, Dr. Thongchai said, citing Department of Medical Sciences data.
Those infected with the JN.1 strain will have symptoms similar to those of ordinary respiratory illnesses, such as fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches and a runny nose, the DDC head added.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed that there were 287 fatalities and 2,060 injuries from 2,044 traffic accidents nationwide during the government’s seven day road safety campaign between Apr 11-17.
Speeding, cutting in front of other vehicles and drinkdriving were the biggest causes, Anutin said on Apr 18.