JN.1 is the dominant variant of SARS-CoV-2 virus in Thailand.

Renowned Thai virologist Professor Yong Poovorawan said on January 11 that the JN.1 variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is the most common variant in the country. This variant is highly transmissible but has mild symptoms.

According to him, people infected with the JN.1 strain will not have serious symptoms. Some people will only have a cold and a sore throat, like common respiratory diseases.

However, because the JN.1 strain is highly transmissible and can be transmitted multiple times, the number of COVID-19 cases is expected to increase, especially after the New Year holidays.

Professor Yong also predicted that the number of JN.1 infections would start to decline in February and gradually decrease until the next transmission season begins in June.

Meanwhile, Dr Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, director-general of the Department of Disease Control (DDC) under the Thai Ministry of Public Health, said COVID-19 still needs to be closely monitored because it is constantly changing.

Dr Thongchai warned that although most people are immune and symptoms are mild, vulnerable people should take precautions, especially the elderly, pregnant women and those with hypertension, chronic kidney failure, obesity and cancer.

Mr. Thongchai predicted that the number of COVID-19 cases this year in Thailand will be similar to last year's level of 652,868 cases.