Thailand rejects fake Covid warning over New Year events
Health officials say NB.1.8.1 is Thailand’s main monitored variant, with no evidence of greater severity and no need to cancel festivals.
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) has rejected a recycled online warning claiming that New Year celebrations will be cancelled because of an outbreak of a Covid-19 variant described as “Deltacron XBC”.
The message, which falsely cited Chulabhorn Hospital and the Ministry of Public Health, claimed the variant was three times more dangerous than previous forms of the virus. It also included a purported day-by-day list of symptoms.
The DDC confirmed on Sunday (August 30, 2026) that the information was false. It said the misleading message first circulated in 2022 and had now been revived and shared again, creating unnecessary public alarm.
Dr Montien Kanasawat, director-general of the DDC, said the current Covid-19 situation remained in line with the department’s seasonal projections.
Thailand’s public health system had sufficient medicines and medical supplies to care for patients, he added, and there was no reason to cancel any activities or festivals because of the current situation.
NB.1.8.1 remains under surveillance
Joint variant surveillance by the DDC and the Department of Medical Sciences has identified Omicron NB.1.8.1 as the main strain currently being monitored and detected in Thailand.
It is not the “Deltacron XBC” variant referred to in the viral message.
“Epidemiological monitoring confirms that NB.1.8.1 has not caused more severe illness,” Montien said.
“The reported case-fatality rate remains very low at 0.01%, and most patients experience symptoms similar to those of a common cold.”
Severe illness continues to be concentrated among vulnerable people, particularly older adults, those with underlying medical conditions and people with weakened immune systems, according to the department.
Stay home and reduce close contact
The DDC advised people to monitor themselves for common respiratory symptoms, including:
- fever;
- coughing;
- a sore throat;
- a runny nose; and
- a headache.
Anyone who becomes unwell should follow the department’s advice to “rest when ill and reduce close contact” by staying at home, resting and wearing a face mask when around other people.
People at higher risk of severe illness should seek medical attention promptly if they develop serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing or chest tightness.
The department also advised people with respiratory symptoms not to force themselves to attend work or school and to avoid close contact with older adults, people with chronic illnesses and those with weakened immune systems.
Who is included in the 608 risk group?
The Ministry of Public Health uses the term “608 risk group” for people more likely to develop severe Covid-19.
The classification covers people aged 60 or older and eight higher-risk categories comprising seven groups of chronic illness and pregnant women from 12 weeks of pregnancy.
The seven chronic conditions are:
- chronic respiratory disease;
- cardiovascular disease;
- chronic kidney failure;
- stroke;
- obesity;
- cancer; and
- diabetes.
The DDC’s current health advice also identifies people with weakened immune systems as being particularly vulnerable to severe respiratory illness.
Public urged to check before sharing
Dr Direk Khampaen, deputy director-general of the DDC, urged the public neither to believe nor forward health warnings whose sources could not be clearly identified.
Sharing unverified claims could cause misunderstanding, confusion and panic, he said.
People should instead follow information published through the official channels of the DDC and the Ministry of Public Health. Anyone with questions about diseases or health threats may contact the DDC hotline on 1422.
