Phuket records Thailand’s third-highest Covid-19 rate as DDC says cases remain mild
Phuket recorded 514.85 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people by 31 August, but Thailand’s Department of Disease Control said the dominant variant is not causing more severe illness.
Phuket recorded 514.85 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people by 31 August, the third-highest incidence rate in Thailand, while the Department of Disease Control (DDC) said most infections remain mild.
Bangkok had the country’s highest rate at 643.65 cases per 100,000, followed by Chon Buri at 530.52. The DDC said Phuket’s relatively high rate was linked partly to its large tourist population and high population density, when cases are measured against the resident population.
Thailand recorded 99,691 Covid-19 cases and 15 deaths between 1 January and 31 August, according to data presented by the DDC on 1 September. Health officials said there was no indication that Covid-19 was currently causing more severe illness.
The dominant variant under surveillance was the Omicron subvariant NB.1.8.1, which accounted for 524 cases, or 50.14% of surveillance data. The DDC said the variant had circulated continuously in Thailand since mid-2025 and showed no evidence of causing more severe illness, although it might spread more easily than earlier strains.
DDC medical expert and spokesperson Dr Veerawat Manosutthi said common symptoms included coughing, a sore throat, a runny nose and fever, with many patients describing an illness similar to a cold or influenza.
The department advised people who become ill to rest, limit close contact, avoid crowded places where possible, wear a mask if contact with others is unavoidable and wash their hands frequently. It urged extra caution among people aged 60 and over, pregnant women at 12 weeks’ gestation or more, and people with conditions including chronic respiratory or cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney failure, stroke, obesity, cancer and diabetes.
People whose symptoms do not improve within one or two days should seek medical attention. The DDC said anyone experiencing breathing difficulties, shortness of breath, chest tightness, severe lethargy or a worsening condition should seek medical help immediately.
