Thailand’s public health system has alerted the nation about the first cases of the newly identified Omicron sub-variant, known as HK.3. This recent detection, as confirmed by the Department of Medical Sciences (DMS), has caused a stir among the citizens of the country. The medical professionals detected this variant in a family unit, sparking conversations about its transmission speed and impact when compared to previous strains. The health conditions of infected individuals have not been released to the public yet, with the DMS still conducting their exhaustive investigations.
The alarming development was disclosed by none other than the director of DMS, Dr. Supakit Sirilak. He revealed that the detected cases were a senior citizen of 65 years of age and a young girl, just 11 years old. Both individuals, living under the same Roof In Bangkok, have since conquered the virus, exhibiting only minor symptoms. The fear and anxiety surrounding the new sub-variant are palpable, and Dr. Supakit’s reassurances are a key counterpoint to this uncertainty.
While the public’s concern for the potential increased severity due to this new HK.3 variant is understandable, Dr. Supakit advised resilience and patience to his fellow citizens. The hype surrounding this variant being 66% more capable of transmission may escalate up to 96% when compared to the XBB.1.16 variant has created a palpable air of dread in Thailand. Therefore, his words, “It’s too early to make determinations on the severity of this variant based on such minimal confirmed cases. We advise the public to stay calm and patient for a couple more weeks until more concrete conclusions can be drawn,” serve as a much-needed reminder to wait for concrete scientific evidence.
The DMS is actively observing the Covid variants that are currently active in Thailand, utilizing advanced medical technology such as whole-genome sequencing. This system allows them to identify the different sub-variants based on their unique spike protein mutations. Dr. Supakit noted that the most dominant Covid variant in Thailand is the Omicron’s XBB.1.16, which is responsible for almost 40% of the country’s Covid infections. XBB.2.3 stands at 16.39%, followed by XBB.1.9.1 with 14.66%.
As per Dr. Supakit, the EG.5 variant possesses the potential to become dominant, considering its high rate of transmission. Regardless, there is no present data backing claims that this variant is more severe. According to the Bangkok Post, it has become increasingly important for everyone to be mindful of the evolving situation, considering the rapid changes surrounding the Covid-19 virus and its many sub-variants.
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