Bangkok: Warns of 8,000 Covid cases in 1 week, concerned about the start of the new school term, points out that the outbreak is twice as severe as the flu. Mr. Karom Polpornklang, Deputy Government Spokesperson, revealed that the government is concerned about the public due to the increasing trend of the COVID-19 outbreak. According to data from 27 April - 3 May 2025, there were 8,446 COVID-19 patients receiving treatment in both outpatient and inpatient systems, excluding those who were infected and did not seek treatment at the hospital. This covers all age groups, from young children aged 0-4 years, school-aged, working-age, to the elderly. The COVID-19 situation over the past 4 weeks (since 27 April 2025) has found that the number of COVID-19 patients is twice as high as the flu, and there have been 5 deaths. According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Karom said that taking care of yourself in daily life to be safe from COVID-19 should be done as follows: reduce contact with germs by eating safely, washing hand s frequently, and washing vegetables and fruits properly. He emphasized the importance of wearing an appropriate mask, stating that normal people can wear a cloth mask, while patients or general public health officers should wear a surgical mask. For those at a higher risk or involved in testing for the virus, an N-95 mask or a full set of PPE with a face shield is recommended. Mr. Karom urged people to be vigilant and monitor their symptoms closely, as infected individuals can spread the virus 2-3 days before showing symptoms. He advised self-isolation for at least 5 days after infection, with a gradual decrease in the chance of spreading the virus over subsequent days. He stressed the importance of wearing masks around others, especially vulnerable groups like the elderly, young children, pregnant women, or those with underlying conditions. If unusual symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath, or loss of smell or taste occur, he advised seeking medical attention immediately to mitigate th e risk of severe outcomes.