Thailand has recorded 33 cases of the new Covid-19 strain XFG so far this year, most of them in Bangkok, according to the Department of Medical Sciences.
The department said on Tuesday that XFG, also known as Stratus, has become the dominant Covid-19 strain worldwide and case numbers are rising. However, there is no evidence to show that its symptoms are more severe than those caused by other strains.
Thailand recorded its first XFG case in April and as of Sept 24 there were 33 cases, 23 in Bangkok.
Most cases had mild symptoms such as fever, coughing, sore throat, runny noses and headaches. No one had to be admitted to a hospital, the department said.
Although the XFG strain has not caused severe symptoms, people should always protect themselves by washing hands frequently and avoiding crowded places, it said.
The Department of Disease Control earlier reported that for the year to July 14, Thailand had 589,352 reported cases of Covid-19 and 239 fatalities.
