Thailand’s first suspected infection by COVID-19 Omicron XJ strain found

13 Sept 13:33 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand has identified its first suspected case of the Omicron XJ variant in a 34-year-old delivery man, with confirmation pending further analysis.
The Medical Sciences Department clarified that the suspected case is not the Omicron XE variant, but genetically closer to XJ, initially detected in Finland.
The department noted that while the virus constantly mutates and forms new combinations (like XA, XB, etc.), these are generally not concerning unless they lead to vaccine evasion.
Omicron variants, especially the BA.2 sub-variant, now account for 99.84% of new COVID-19 cases in Thailand, with Delta cases becoming extremely rare.

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