Thailand concerned by potential COVID-19 wave after festival

Thai health authorities are concerned about a possible increase in COVID-19 cases after the Songkran festival. The holiday is characterized by water-splashing events and extensive nationwide travel. According to Dr. Yong Poovorawan, head of the Clinical Virology Department at Chulalongkorn University, COVID-19 cases in Thailand always rise in early April, coinciding with the Songkran celebrations. The virus’s spread is facilitated by crowded gatherings in confined spaces and increased mobility. However, Dr. Yong emphasized that COVID-19 is not more severe than the common flu, which affects the country during the rainy season. Consequently, treatment should focus on symptom management, except for vulnerable groups such as immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women. These categories may require close monitoring and antiviral medications to prevent complications.
At present, the JN.1 Omicron subvariant remains the dominant strain in Thailand, accounting for nearly 65% of COVID-19 cases.