The COVID-19 epidemic situation in Thailand is complicated by the appearance of the new variant Omicron XEC.
Thailand recorded more than 71,000 cases of COVID-19 and 19 deaths since the beginning of the year to May 14, mainly due to Omicron XEC variation. This strain has a spreading rate of 84 - 110% faster than previous Omicron variants and is appearing in at least 27 countries. As the epidemic continues to increase, Thai authorities have advised people to be vigilant and take preventive measures.
In Vietnam, the number of COVID-19 cases has also increased slightly in the past 3 weeks, with an average of about 20 cases per week, but there are no serious cases.
From January 1 to May 15, 2025, Hanoi recorded 38 cases of COVID-19 scattered in 15/30 districts, towns and cities, with no complicated outbreaks, no serious cases or deaths. It is forecasted that in the coming time, the number of cases may continue to increase due to peak exchange activities, festivals and tourism.
In response to this development, the Hanoi Center for Disease Control recommends that people proactively prevent the epidemic by wearing masks at medical facilities, crowded places, and public transport; limit unnecessary gatherings; wash their hands regularly; cover their mouths when coughing/sneezing; do not spit and spit; maintain good health and nutrition. When there are signs of cough, fever, or shortness of breath, medical examination should be taken immediately. People returning from the epidemic area need to monitor their health and avoid spreading to people around them.
The Hanoi health sector will continue to closely monitor the epidemic situation and provide appropriate response measures.
Currently, the number of COVID-19 cases is on the rise in many countries around the world such as Brazil, the UK, Thailand... In Vietnam, from the beginning of 2025 to now, the whole country has recorded 148 cases of COVID-19 in 27 provinces and cities. Notably, no deaths have been reported.
Facing the complicated development of the disease, in order to ensure the collection and treatment of CIVI-19 patients, the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management (Ministry of Health) has requested the directors of hospitals under the Ministry, the Director of the Department of Health of the localities, and the heads of the health ministries and branches urgently implement the solutions:
Review and update the plan for admission and treatment of COVID-19 patients in accordance with the developments of the epidemic, avoiding passiveness and surprise.
Prepare facilities, equipment, medical supplies and quarantine areas to be ready for infection collection, treatment and control.
Strengthen infection prevention measures in medical facilities, especially in departments treating serious patients, the elderly, underlying diseases, etc. to ensure a clean and airy environment. Finally, it is required to strictly implement the reporting of cases according to current regulations.
The health sector calls on localities to increase proactiveness and closely coordinate in epidemic prevention and control to be ready to respond to all situations.
Currently, our country has not recorded the presence of XEC variants. However, the Ministry of Health calls on localities to increase proactiveness and closely coordinate in epidemic prevention and control to be ready to respond to all situations.
