BA.2.75 found in 75.9% of new infections in Thailand
Bangkok (VNA) – Omicron subvariant
BA.2.75 accounted for 75.9% of new COVID-19 cases logged in Thailand from November
26-December 2, from 58.9% in the previous week, according to new data released
by the Department of Medical Sciences (DMS).
DMS Director General Dr Supakit Sirilak said BA.2.75
was found in 75.4% of new domestic infections, rising from 60.1% in the
previous week, when it overtook BA.5 as the dominant subvariant.
Genome sequencing on
samples from new cases in Thailand last week found that 856 were caused by the
BA.2.75 strain.
Additionally, the XBB
strain spreading in Singapore was found in 30 samples, while the BQ.1 subvariant
affecting the America and Europe accounted for 13 cases tested. The
DMS found only one case of XBC or Deltacron, a hybrid of Delta and Omicron
found recently in the Philippines.
Supakit warned that those
who had recovered from infections by previous strains could be reinfected by
the newly dominant BA.2.75. However, there is no evidence it causes more severe
symptoms than other strains, he added.
Current vaccines are
still effective and can reduce the chance of infection and prevent severe
symptoms, he said./.