Wall Street’s major averages closed higher on Monday with economically sensitive sectors and travel-related stocks advancing solidly as investors were encouraged by some optimistic comments from a top U.S. official on the latest COVID-19 variant. Of Wall Street’s three major averages, the Dow rose the most while industrials and consumer staples, up around 1.6 percent, were the S&P’s strongest sectors followed by energy and utilities, up 1.5 percent. But declines in COVID-19 vaccine companies diminished gains in the health care sector. While the Omicron COVID-19 variant has caused alarm and some new restrictions around the world, investors appeared to be reassured by Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease official, who told CNN that “thus far it does not look like there’s a great degree of severity to it.” However, he did say that more study is needed. “People are less worried about the variant,” said King Lip, chief …