Thailand reports first Omicron COVID-19 cluster

People wearing face masks as a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are seen at a train station in Bangkok on Nov 29, 2021. (File photo: Reuters)

Bangkok (VNA) - Thailand reported on December24 its first domestic cluster of coronavirus infections from the Omicronvariant in Kalasin province, officials have said.

“From the Kalasin cluster, there are 21 newinfections,” said the country’s COVID-19 task force spokeswoman ApisamaiSrirangsan, as cited by CNA.

The infections stem from a couple who travelled fromBelgium through the country’s Test & Go scheme that waived quarantine forvaccinated arrivals, she said.

Both had tested negative for infections beforetravelling and after arrival in Thailand in early December.

By December 15, they started having symptoms andtested positive and were later confirmed to have the Omicron variant, she said.

The announcement comes as Thailand’s capital cityBangkok cancelled government-sponsored New Year activity, including midnightprayers.

Fireworks and countdown events organised by malls werestill going forward, and would require proof of vaccination and antigen testresults.

The health ministry previously said that it wouldintroduce a fourth booster dose for medical personnel./.

VNA