Two Singaporeans may have captured the Omicron variant even after receiving a Covid-19 booster shot, in cases that can explain the protection offered by the third dose of the vaccine.
A 24-year-old female airport passenger service worker has returned a positive test early to Omicron, in terms of any local cases of the cities of the variant, the Ministry of Health said in a statement on Thursday night.
The second person was considered a case of imports after returning from Germany through a vaccinated travel route on December 6.
Both have received a third vaccine dose, the ministry said.
Pfizer Inc.
And Bionech SE earlier this week said the initial lab study showed the third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine they might be needed to neutralize the omicron variant.
Company researchers observed 25-fold reductions in neutralizing antibodies that fight variants, compared to genuine virus strains, in people who only get two shots.
However, it increases with additional shots of the vaccine restored protection against a level similar to the initial two-dose regimen.
“Given high transmission and spread to many parts of the world, we must expect to find more cases of omicrons on our borders and also in our community,” said the Ministry of Health of Singapore.
The two people recovered in isolation at the National Center for infectious diseases, and all close contacts will be placed in quarantine 10 days at the designated facility, the ministry said.
Airport workers have been tested as part of weekly testing for frontline border workers.
He did not show symptoms when detected through testing, according to the statement.
In the second case, a 46-year-old child had been tested negatively with a polymerase chain reaction test on arrival.
However, he developed a cold day and was looking for medical care a day after that, when he tested positive.
Singapore has seen a sharp decline in cases of society for the past month, along with significant easing in the burden of hospitals.
The city country has one of the best levels of vaccination in the world, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
87% of the total population is fully vaccinated, while 96% of those who meet the requirements are fully inoculated, mostly with Pfizer or Moderna.
About 29% have also received a booster.
Government officials said Jab for the age of 5-11 will be offered soon.