Spread of Omicron can be controlled if measures strictly adhered to, says doctor
THE NATION
There is low to very low risk of Thailand’s first Omicron case infecting others as the cycle threshold in the RT-PCR test is very high, Dr Anan Jongkaewwatana from the National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology said in a Facebook post on Monday.
He made this remark after the Public Health Ministry announced that the country’s first Omicron infection was detected in a foreigner who had arrived from Spain on November 30.
Anan said the patient did not develop any symptoms possibly because he had taken the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine.
“If the patient wears a face mask at all times, then I believe this discovery is not worrisome,” he said.
However, Anan has advised the authorities to strictly screen all tourists, not just those arriving from Africa.
Related stories:
- American tourist brings Omicron to Thailand
- No deaths from Omicron yet, WHO says
- Prayut urges people to ‘be aware’ but not panic over Thailand’s first Omicron case
