1) Thailand found first omicron case, but low risk
Thailand reported its first case of Covid-19 omicron variant on a Thai citizen who travelled back from Spain on November 29 through Suvarnabhumi Airport. The patient said that he was travelling alone and did not sit near any passenger while on the plane. He was also wearing a mask all the time while staying in the hotel.
The Department of Disease Control stated that all 19 people, consisting of 17 hotel staff and 2 airport staff are in a low-risk category and the department will keep track of all 19 people during this time.
2) U.S. imposed stricter inbound measures against omicron
After nearly a month of lifting the travel ban, the U.S. imposed stricter Covid-19 measures for inbound travellers including its citizens to prevent the spread of the coronavirus omicron variant. Arrivals will be required to show airlines proof of a negative Covid test result, taken one day prior to the departure time, which was much shorter than the three-day proof before departure in its previous measure.
3) Wall Street shook off omicron concerns
Investors shook off omicron concerns after the Dow Jones closed 1.87% higher, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq gained 1.17% and 0.93%, respectively. The reopening, energy, industrials and airlines stocks were among the group that led Wall Street higher on Monday.
4) Mixing AstraZeneca or Pfizer with Moderna gives better immunity, says British study
An Oxford professor behind the trial dubbed Com-COV2 said that from the study of mixing existing Covid-19 vaccines, a first dose of AstraZeneca or Pfizer-BioNTech shots followed by Moderna nine weeks later had a better immune response.
“We’re showing…you don’t have to stick rigidly to receiving the same vaccine for a second dose…and that if the programme will be delivered more quickly by using multiple vaccines, then it is okay to do so,” said Matthew Snape, the Oxford professor, to Reuters.
