Bangkok [Thailand], December 29 (ANI/Xinhua): Thailand's Ministry of Public Health said on Wednesday that the country has detected a total of 739 cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant to date, including 488 overseas arrivals and 251 local infections.

Although the majority of new COVID-19 cases reported in Thailand are still those of the Delta variant, more Omicron cases have started popping up, said Supakit Sirilak, director-general of the Medical Sciences Department from the Ministry of Public Health.

Also Read | Tejas Express From Mumbai To Goa Decorated With Lights On Occasion Of Christmas? Old Video From England Goes Viral With False Claim.

According to the official, Omicron infections have already been found in at least 33 provinces, of which 19 are known to have cases from local infections. Many of those locally infected patients are linked to transmission from the Kalasin cluster.

Three provinces -- Bangkok, Kalasin and Phuket -- accounted for more than 60 percent of these Omicron cases.

Also Read | 'Omicron Nothing but a Seasonal Cold Virus; Overreaction Causing Panic', Claims US-Based Doctor Afshine Emrani.

The Ministry of Public Health urged the people to protect themselves with face masks, social distancing and regular hand washing as these measures were still proven effective in preventing infection by all COVID-19 variants.

Government officials have been told to work from home after the New Year, while schools may consider resuming online classes as part of a precautionary measures to keep the country safe from the rising threat posed by the Omicron variant. (ANI/Xinhua)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)