Omicron has higher risk of reinfection than Delta and Beta variants: Singapore's health ministry
Singapore, Dec 6: Singapore's Ministry of Health has said that early clinical observations globally suggest that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 may be more transmissible and have a higher risk of reinfection compared to the Delta and Beta variants of the virus.
"This means that there is a higher likelihood of individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 to be reinfected with the Omicron variant," Channel News Asia quoted the ministry as saying on Sunday in an update on the Omicron variant.
Meanwhile, the city-state reported one more "preliminarily positive" Omicron case on Sunday. The 37-year old vaccinated permanent resident was on the same flight as two other "preliminary positive" cases that landed here from South Africa on December 1.
On Sunday, Singapore also reported 552 new COVID-19 cases and 13 deaths linked to the coronavirus.
The ministry said it has, over the past several days, reviewed reports from South Africa and other countries, and actively engaged experts in affected countries to obtain first-hand information.
"This press release updates our understanding of the Omicron variant, even while many questions remain with no clear answers," the Channel quoted MOH.
With the new variant spreading globally, Singapore "must expect to detect more cases at our borders and, in time to come, also within our community", MOH cautioned.
Studies on whether existing COVID-19 vaccines are effective against the new variant are ongoing, but "there is an emerging view amongst scientists around the world that existing COVID-19 vaccines will still work on the Omicron variant, especially in protecting people against severe illness," the MOH said.
The ministry urged those eligible to get themselves vaccinated or go for their booster jabs, saying there is strong scientific consensus that doing so will protect against any existing and future variants of COVID-19.
Addressing concerns regarding the severity of the strain of the virus, the MOH said Omicron cases have "mostly displayed mild symptoms, and no Omicron-related deaths have been reported so far".
Common symptoms reported include sore throat, tiredness and cough, the ministry added.
As for reports that there were more Omicron-related hospitalisations among younger people in South Africa, the ministry said this could be due to an overall high infection rate among the population.
Another factor could be that existing patients hospitalised for non-COVID-19 related reasons could have tested positive for the variant while in hospital. "Having said that, it is early days to conclude on the severity of the disease," the MOH said.
The Omicron outbreak was first detected in a university town with a younger demographic.
According to the South African health experts, any hospitalisation stays for this demographic thus far have been short, of about one to two days.
MOH said it would need to collect more information on older individuals infected with the Omicron variant to assess if it is more severe than the Delta variant.
The ministry said studies so far show antigen rapid tests, in addition to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, are effective in detecting COVID-19 infection, including Omicron cases.
"Testing, therefore, remains key to our early detection and initial containment of transmission," the MOH added.
The ministry also said it would "continue to coordinate with health authorities globally to study and understand the Omicron variant, so as to develop the best possible response".
The MOH's update comes after two imported cases in Singapore tested "preliminarily positive" for the Omicron COVID-19 variant on Thursday.
The passengers were isolated after arriving from South Africa on a Singapore Airlines flight on December 1, and did not have any community interaction, the ministry said last week.
Both of them were fully vaccinated and had mild symptoms of cough and scratchy throat. Their confirmatory test results are still pending, the MOH said.
The third case's pre-departure test in Johannesburg on November 29 was negative for COVID-19, said the MOH.
He was taken to a stay-home notice dedicated facility upon arrival in Singapore, and his PCR tests on December 1 and 3 came back negative, the ministry said.
He developed fever and sore throat on December 4 and was taken to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), where he tested "preliminarily positive" for the Omicron variant, the Health Ministry said.
The man is fully vaccinated and has mild symptoms. He is currently recovering in an isolation ward at NCID, said the MOH, adding that "he had not interacted in the community, and there is currently no evidence of any community transmission from the case".
The National Public Health Laboratory is conducting whole genome sequencing to confirm the variant.
As of Sunday, Singapore has reported 2,69,211 COVID-19 cases and 759-coronavirus linked deaths since the pandemic began last year.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
