The Omicron variant of COVID-19 spreads faster than the Delta variant because it stays in the upper respiratory tract and does not attack lungs, according to the Department of Medical Sciences.
Dr. Supakit Sirilak, director-general of the department, said the Omicron variant mostly stayed in the upper respiratory tract and thus spread 70 times faster than the Delta variant. However, the Omicron variant did not harm lungs like the Delta variant.
Of Delta cases, as many as 50% were admitted to hospitals while the rate among Omicron cases was 20-25%, he said. At present, Omicron cases form 16% of COVID-19 cases.
The percentage of Omicron cases among arrivals rose from 25% to 53%. Of 205 Omicron cases in the country, 180 were arrivals and 25 others were Thais who had not left the country but had relations with arrivals.
The biggest Omicron cluster was reported in Kalasin province and consisted of 22 cases. There was also a cluster of Omicron-infected pilgrims in the South and officials concerned were investigating the cluster, Dr. Supakit said. (TNA)
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