Thailand reports first omicron variant cluster

By Saadet Firdevs Apari

ANKARA (AA) - Thailand reported its first domestic omicron variant cluster in Kalasin province, according to media reports Friday.

“From the Kalasin cluster, there are 21 new infections,” said coronavirus task force spokeswoman Apisamai Srirangsan, said a report by Channel News Asia.

Srirangsan said the infections originated from a couple who traveled from Belgium through the country’s Test & Go scheme that exempts vaccinated arrivals from certain countries.

Both passengers tested negative before the trip and after arrival in early December, she said. “By Dec. 15, they started having symptoms and tested positive and were later confirmed to have the Omicron variant.”

Thailand’s senior health official Supakit Sirilak said: “We should follow the protective measures closely and slow down the outbreak as much as possible.”

Thailand has reported 205 cases of the omicron variant.

It canceled government-sponsored New Year's events, including midnight services.

After the first domestic case of the omicron variant was reported, quarantine rules for those coming from abroad were reinstated and the exemption was ended for tourists who had the COVID-19 vaccine.