The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has urged residents who participated in Songkran activities or visited relatives to monitor their symptoms for 1-2 weeks to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

“People should keep following three rules to stay safe from Covid: Wear a face mask, maintain social distance of 1-2 metres, and wash your hands regularly,” said Dr Suksan Kittisupakorn, BMA’s deputy permanent secretary, on Tuesday.

Suksan said the number of patients being hospitalised due to Covid-19 in the city had increased from the week before Songkran. However, there is no rising trend in Covid fatalities.

He advised people in risky groups — elders over 60 years old, those with chronic diseases such as heart, lung, cancer and diabetes, and pregnant women — to isolate themselves from others for 1-2 weeks. If they have flu-like symptoms, such as fever, coughing, and sore throat, they should take a test immediately.

XBB subvariant more contagious

The deputy permanent secretary said that the BMA’s Emergency Operation Centre has reported that currently the dominant subvariant of Covid-19 Omicron found in Thailand, including Bangkok, is XBB.1.5, in around 47% of new cases. However the new subvariant XBB.1.16, which is more transmissible, accounts for 7-10% of new cases and is rising. This trend can also be observed worldwide, he added.

“The new subvariant does not differ significantly from its predecessors in terms of causing severe symptoms and deaths. However, it has a five times higher infection rate than the original Omicron variant,” said Suksan. “Infected persons still display mild or no symptoms and can be treated as outpatients with existing drugs. Some patients also displayed symptoms of conjunctivitis.”

He advised people with suspected symptoms to use an antigen self-test kit, which can detect any subvariants of the virus, every 1-2 days. If the test comes back positive, they can receive treatment at 11 hospitals and 69 public health units under the BMA, or any hospitals under the Public Health Ministry.

Importance of boosters

Suksan advised people who have never been vaccinated or have had only one jab to get a shot of Covid-19 vaccine at any BMA hospital or public health units.

“Those who have received the full dose should get a booster shot every year after the last jab. If you are in one of the risky groups, get a booster twice a year,” he said, adding that hospitals and public health units in Bangkok have been told to stock up adequate vaccines for all Bangkokians.

The city is also planning to provide Covid-19 jabs along with an influenza vaccine, in a free vaccination campaign from May onwards in all areas of Bangkok.

Adequate Covid-19 drugs and hospital beds
Suksan said hospitals, public health units, and clinics under the BMA are capable of diagnosing and treating Covid-19 patients in isolation from general patients.

“Currently about 27% of beds reserved for Covid-19 patients at BMA hospitals have been occupied. We can add more beds if the situation escalates,” he said. “People need not panic over the jump in new cases, as our public health system is ready to handle the caseload.”

“Please keep doing what you have been doing during the pandemic to stay safe from Covid: Wear face masks, keep a distance from others, and wash your hands regularly,” he added. “If you have flu-like symptoms, take an antigen test immediately to prevent spreading it to people close to you.”