BA.4/BA.5, predominantly 45% of the epidemic in Thailand, had been infected with “Covid Omicron” and was re-infected.

On June 24, at the Richmond Hotel, Dr. Supakit Sirilak, Director-General of the Department of Medical Sciences, gave a press conference on species surveillance.covid 19 and the mutation of the infection Due to the Department’s continuous surveillance Data from June 18-22, 2022, randomly examined from 396 immigrants and other groups within the country, found thatOmicron subspecies BA.1 2 cases, 213 cases, BA.2 and 181 cases, BA.4/BA.5 have been submitted to the system.Global COVID-19 Database (GISAID) Then overall, the proportion of species that are now epidemic in Thailand is Omikron, BA.1 accounted for 0.5%, BA.2 accounted for 53.8%, and BA.4/BA.5 accounted for 45.7%.

During the previous week, more samples were sent in for testing. from both private hospitals And government hospitals, where approximately 81 samples of BA.4/BA.5 total gene transcripts are being reported to GISAID, but the numbers may overlap with previous reports. Therefore, a brief summary It is said that about 200 samples of this subspecies have been found. Most of them are found in the Bangkok area. This may be because it is an area near the inspection center. So I sent a lot of tests. But not that an abnormality was found, so sent for examination. but because following the world situation therefore be more careful Of these, 72.7% were from overseas, and 27.3% were domestically infected. And will have to wait another 2-3 weeks to see the real trend of the outbreak of this species in Thailand.

“There have been no reports of people with severe symptoms. or death from this species into As for the Bangkok area, where there are reports of increased symptoms of bed occupancy, The strain has not been tested in this critically ill population. As for the current medicines that are available, they can still be treated, and no one can say whether it will be more severe or not. But people who have been infected with Omicron BA.1 BA.2 in the past can be re-infected with BA.4 BA.5. Those who have not been vaccinated will find that when infected with BA.5, the immune system will fight against the virus. decreased by 6-7 times as for those who were vaccinated Immunity to fight infection is reduced by 1-2 times.said Dr. Supakit.

Dr. Supakit also said that if vaccinated and the immunity in the body is high enough, it can fight more than people who are not vaccinated. Vaccination is still necessary. because it helps to have enough immunity Helps reduce severity and symptoms and have appropriate self-protection measures Despite the issuance of advice that it is voluntary. But wearing a mask and washing hands is a public awareness. Let’s ask ourselves if we’re alone, there’s no problem staying far away from people. But when you think it’s necessary to talk to people can be used to prevent many diseases,” said Dr. Supakit.

Dr. Supakit also said that global situation now onlyOmicron speciesonly being classified as a worrying species. Now there are almost no other species. left behind As for the omikron, there are subspecies or descendants of concern, namely BA.2.12.1 , BA.2.9.1 BA.2.11 BA.2.13 and BA..4 BA.5. Of particular note is BA.4 BA.5, but because of the mutation in the L452R location, which is the same location as the delta species. causing more harm to the lungs There is concern that omicron BA..4 BA.5 will spread as rapidly and as virulently as the Delta species.

However, the World Health Organization orWHO Data analysis over the last two weeks revealed that other omikron subspecies decreased infection Only the BA.5 strain had an increase in infection from 16% to 25%, requiring closer monitoring for the BA.5 strain.