China's top epidemiologist Zhong Nanshan said on Thursday that Xi'an's COVID-19 situation has met a turning point as the city, which has seen a resurgence of COVID-19 cases since December 9, has logged a decreasing daily spike of the virus.

Thailand authorities said on Thursday it will not lift its suspension of "Test and Go" program as well as Sandbox applications, which was introduced from December 22, 2021, citing the rising number of Omicron variant cases in the country.

Health authorities in Iraq and Laos have identified cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant in their countries.