Bangkok, June 1 -- Thailand's government has urged the public to remain vigilant and follow safety measures as the country faces a rise in COVID-19 cases due to the spread of the new variant NB.1.8.1.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the situation is becoming concerning, with the virus showing a significant increase in the Western Pacific, Southeast Asia, and the Eastern Mediterranean, Deputy government spokesperson Anukool Pruksanusak said in a statement on May 31.

The spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been increasing since mid-February, with a test positivity rate reaching 11%, the highest since July 2024, according to the WHO. The situation is particularly concerning in 73 countries. While Africa, Europe, and the ...