European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers a speech during a plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021. (Julien Warnand, Pool Photo via AP)

EU official: Omicron to be dominant variant by mid-January

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday that omicron is expected to be the dominant coronavirus variant in the 27-nation bloc by mid-January, amid concerns that a…

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Photo by Handout / US Food and Drug Administration / AFP

Nine Omicron cases confirmed in Thailand to date, five others await confirmation

One more Omicron variant case has been confirmed in Thailand, bringing total confirmed cases to date to nine, plus five potential cases still awaiting confirmation by means of whole genome…

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Paxlovid, a Pfizer’s coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pill, is seen manufactured in Ascoli, Italy, in this undated handout photo obtained by Reuters on November 16, 2021. Pfizer/Handout via REUTERS

Pfizer says COVID-19 pill near 90% effective in final analysis

NEW YORK, Dec 14 (Reuters) – Pfizer Inc. on Tuesday said final analysis of its antiviral COVID-19 pill still showed near 90% efficacy in preventing hospitalizations and deaths in high-risk patients,…

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Two-dose vaccines induce lower antibodies against Omicron, study finds

Two-dose COVID-19 vaccine regimens do not induce enough neutralising antibodies against the Omicron coronavirus variant, British scientists found, indicating that increased infections in those previously infected or vaccinated may be…

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An ambulance drives past St Thomas’ Hospital as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in London, Britain, December 12, 2021. REUTERS/May James

First person dies from Omicron variant in United Kingdom

LONDON, Dec 13 (Reuters) – At least one person has died in the United Kingdom after contracting the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday,…

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Thailand to speed up vaccine booster shots

The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has decided to speed up the mass provision of COVID-19 vaccine booster shots, to guard against the potentially serious symptoms of the Omicron…

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People wait in a queue outside a pop-up vaccination centre for the Covid-19 vaccine or booster, in Hammersmith and Fulham in Greater London on December 3, 2021, as rollout accelerates in England. Britain has set a two-month target to give booster jabs to all adults over 18, as it seeks to minimise the impact from the Omicron variant of Covid-19. Daniel LEAL / AFP

‘Phenomenal’ Omicron spread accounts for 40% of London infections

Britain said on Monday that the Omicron coronavirus variant was spreading at a “phenomenal rate” and now accounted for about 40% of infections in London, so people should get a…

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People wearing face masks exit a BTS skytrain in Bangkok on December 6, 2021 as Thailand recorded on Monday its first case of the Covid-19 coronavirus Omicron variant. Jack TAYLOR / AFP

Eight Omicron cases confirmed in Thailand so far, three others await confirmation

Eight COVID-19 Omicron variant cases have been detected in Thailand to date, with three more awaiting confirmatory tests, according to the Medical Sciences Department. The 11 cases include five Thais,…

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A man is tested for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at a mobile COVID-19 testing unit, as pedestrians make their way in the sidewalk during the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant in Manhattan, New York, U.S., December 8, 2021. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo

U.S. crosses 50 million COVID-19 cases as Delta dominates amid Omicron emergence

(Reuters) – The United States crossed 50 million coronavirus cases on Sunday, according to Reuters tally, as the Delta variant continues to threaten Americans and the newly discovered Omicron variant spreads. After about two months of declining infections, the United…

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A man walks through the arrival gates at Suvarnabhumi International Airport as Thailand welcomes the first group of vaccinated tourists without quarantine in Bangkok on November 1, 2021. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

Omicron casts shadow over Thailand’s economic revival

The recent discovery of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus has made global stock markets highly volatile — sharply down in late November and rebounding in early December. Thai stocks…

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Thailand detects fourth potential Omicron case, first three confirmed

Thailand has detected a potential Omicron case in a Thai man arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo, with a test underway to confirm whether he is the fourth COVID-19…

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Two Nigerians caught after illegally entering Thailand from Cambodia

Two Nigerians were arrested by Thai border security forces yesterday after they slipped across the Thai-Cambodian border into Ta Phraya district of the eastern province of Sa Kaeo, reportedly to…

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REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

Pfizer, BioNTech vaccine neutralises Omicron with three shots

(Reuters) – BioNTech and Pfizer said on Wednesday a three-shot course of their COVID-19 vaccine was able to neutralise the new Omicron variant in a laboratory test, an early signal that…

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File photo / AFP

Bangkok intensifies efforts to limit spread of COVID-19 Omicron variant

City health officials will be sent to two hotels in Bangkok’s Bang Rak district to collect specimens for testing from staff who were in close contact with the American businessman…

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A colorized scanning electron micrograph of an apoptotic cell (green) heavily infected with Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 virus particles (purple), isolated from a patient sample, at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. (Photo by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)

Two more potential Omicron cases detected in Thailand

Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) announced Wednesday that a second and third case of COVID-19 Omicron infection have been detected in Thailand in two unvaccinated Thai women, who…

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‘Highly unlikely’ existing vaccines will fail against Omicron: WHO

Geneva (AFP) – Omicron does not appear to cause more severe disease than previous Covid variants, and is “highly unlikely” to fully dodge vaccine protections, a top WHO official said on…

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Waiter in contact with Thailand’s first Omicron case needs more tests

A Thai hotel waiter, who was among 17 individuals who were in close contact with Thailand’s first case of Omicron variant infection, will need to undergo further tests to determine…

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Concerns raised over possible lockdown after Thailand detects first Omicron case

After the recent relaxation of COVID-19 related restrictions, sales have gradually improved in restaurants and other businesses, but they are warning that reintroducing harsh measures or lockdowns could severely affect…

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CDC via AP, File

Muscle pain, fatigue among initial symptoms of Omicron variant – DCD

Thailand’s Disease Control Department has published basic information about the new coronavirus variant, Omicron, so the public can monitor for physical symptoms. The initial symptoms include muscle pain and fatigue,…

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Passengers wait in line inside the terminal at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

New U.S. COVID-19 international travel testing rules take effect Monday

WASHINGTON, Dec 2 (Reuters) – New rules requiring international air travelers arriving in the United States to obtain a negative COVID-19 test within one day of travel will take effect…

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FILE / Passengers wait in line inside the terminal at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, U.S., November 24, 2021 / REUTERS

U.S., Germany plan new restrictions as Omicron rattles investors

BERLIN/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States, Germany and Russia joined countries planning stricter COVID-19 restrictions on Thursday as the Omicron coronavirus variant rattled markets, with investors concerned about the impact on the global economic recovery….

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FILE Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha / Photo from Royal Thai Government

PM confirms no Thailand’s border closure yet, dashes hope for early revival of nightlife

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha today (Thursday) made clear that his government has no plan to close Thailand’s borders again, to prevent the spread of Omicron, while dashing hopes that pubs,…

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Photo by Handout / US Food and Drug Administration / AFP

Omicron rapidly dominating in South Africa; U.S. reports first case

JOHANNESBURG/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Heavily mutated Omicron is rapidly becoming the dominant variant of the coronavirus in South Africa less than four weeks after it was first detected there, and the United States on Wednesday became the latest country to…

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CDC via AP, File

252 arrivals from 8 African countries asked to report for RT-PCR tests immediately

Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is appealing for 252 Thais and foreigners, who arrived in Thailand between November 15th and 27th from any of eight African countries affected…

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Photo by Handout / National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases / AFP

Omicron may become dominant variant with its high transmissibility – Dr. Yong Poovorawan

The new coronavirus variant, known as Omicron, is likely to replace the Delta variant as the dominant strain if it continues to spread quickly and easily, said Dr. Yong Poovorawan,…

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TAT governor says foreign arrivals not yet slowing, despite Omicron variant

There is little sign yet of a slow-down in international arrivals to Thailand, despite the spread of new coronavirus variant, Omicron, in several countries. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)…

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(File) Thailand’s Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul

Thailand backs WHO initiative for international instrument on pandemic response

Thai Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has expressed full support for the development of a legally binding international instrument, which is a combination of a treaty and other international texts…

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CDC via AP, File

Dutch authorities: omicron variant circulating 11 days ago

PARIS (AP) — The Dutch health authority says it has found the new omicron variant of the coronavirus in two local cases going back as far as 11 days, showing…

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Did vaccine inequality lead to the Omicron variant?

In October 2020, as scientists around the world raced to develop a vaccine to fight COVID-19, the leader of the World Health Organization warned against looming “vaccine nationalism”. In a…

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RT-PCR test requirement on arrival in Thailand to remain in place

The RT-PCR COVID-19 test requirement upon arrival in Thailand will remain in place in light of the emergence of the new “Omicron” COVID-19 variant in many countries, the Thai cabinet…

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Thai virologists think mixed vaccine use may give some protection against Omicron

A leading Thai virologist, Dr. Yong Poovorawan, and Professor Dr. Wasun Chantratita, head of the Centre for Medical Genomics at Ramathibodi hospital, believe that a mix-and-match vaccine regimen may offer…

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A man puts on a face mask to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), while working at a community nucleic acid testing center in Hong Kong, China November 29, 2021. REUTERS/Lam Yik

Hong Kong expands travel curbs on Omicron fears, Australia reports 5 cases

HONG KONG/SYDNEY (Reuters) – Hong Kong expanded a ban on entry for non-residents from several countries as global health authorities raced to curb a potential outbreak of the Omicron virus, while Australia‘s cabinet will review on Tuesday…

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A medical worker walks past a screen monitoring coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients at the intensive care unit (ICU) of Bagae Hospital in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, November 29, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

High COVID case count, Omicron prompt S.Korea not to relax curbs

SEOUL, Nov 29 (Reuters) – South Korea said on Monday it has shelved plans to further relax COVID-19 restrictions due to the strain on its healthcare system from rising hospitalisation…

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A vial and a syringe are seen in front of a displayed stock graph and words “Omicron SARS-CoV-2” in this illustration taken, November 27, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/file photo

Omicron poses very high global risk, world must prepare -WHO

GENEVA, Nov 29 (Reuters) – The heavily mutated Omicron coronavirus variant is likely to spread internationally and poses a very high risk of infection surges that could have “severe consequences”…

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Photo by Handout / US Food and Drug Administration / AFP

Thai doctors confirm no ‘Omicron’ strain detected yet but say it is highly transmissible

There has been no detection of the new COVID-19 Omicron mutation in Thailand yet, but experts say it spreads faster and more easily than the Beta and Delta strains, while…

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A general view of people trooping to the Manila baywalk dolomite beach along Roxas boulevard in Manila city on October 17, 2021, a day after authorities eased its quarantine restrictions in the nation’s capital. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)

Philippines suspends decision to allow vaccinated tourists entry

Manila (AFP) – The Philippines has temporarily suspended a decision to allow fully vaccinated tourists entry in a bid to prevent a new, heavily mutated coronavirus variant taking off in the…

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Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida answers to reporters’ questions about a measure against the new omicron variant of the coronavirus, at his official residence in Tokyo Monday, Nov. 29, 2021. Japan announced Monday it will suspend entry of all foreign visitors from around the world as a new coronavirus variant spreads. (Sadayuki Goto/Kyodo News via AP)

Japan bans entry of foreign visitors as omicron spreads

TOKYO (AP) — Japan announced Monday it will suspend entry of all foreign visitors from around the world as a new coronavirus variant spreads, prompting an increasing number of countries…

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A petrol attendant stands next to a newspaper headline in Pretoria, South Africa, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)

Is new COVID-19 variant a cause of concern for Thailand?

With the holiday season just around the corner, Thai hearts sank when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the new COVID-19 mutant “Omicron” a variant of concern. The fresh virus…

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Israel closes borders to all foreigners over Omicron

Israel is to close its borders to all foreigners later Sunday in a bid to stem the spread of the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus, authorities said. “The entry…

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U.S. issues ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory for eight African countries

WASHINGTON, Nov 27 (Reuters) – The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and State Department on Saturday advised against travel to eight southern African countries after the White House announced new travel restrictions…

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Airlines notified of Thailand’s restrictions on travellers from 8 African countries

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has notified all airlines about the Thai government’s travel restrictions, including the entry ban on travellers from eight African countries now facing, or…

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Thailand bans arrivals from 8 African countries as a precaution against new COVID-19 variant Omicron

The Thai government has imposed a total ban on arrivals from eight African countries, effective today (Saturday), and those who already have permission to enter the country will be subject…

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