[News] Ómicron: the countries in which the new variant of the coronavirus has been detected

[S e u o n g]

 

In the United Kingdom, two cases of people infected with the new covid variant, Ómicron, were detected, said the Minister of Health, Sajid Javid.

Javid said the cases were detected by the UK Health Security Agency in Essex and Nottingham, England.

He indicated that the two cases were linked to travel to southern Africa and the people, who are related, had self-isolated along with their families while further tests and contact tracing are conducted.

The new variant, which was identified in South Africa on Wednesday, was classified on Friday as a variant of concern by the WHO.

Omicron has also been detected in Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong, and Israel.

 

Other possible cases
In the Netherlands, 61 people who arrived in Amsterdam on two flights from South Africa tested positive for COVID-19, Dutch officials said.

They were all isolated in a hotel near Schiphol airport.

 

The Dutch authorities are conducting further tests to see if any case of Omicron is detected among the infections.

The infected people were among 600 passengers who were held for several hours at the airport after their arrival, while they were being tested for the coronavirus.

Countries around the world have been quick to introduce travel bans and restrictions to southern African countries in an effort to contain the spread of Omicron.

The UK has put 10 countries on its travel red list, which means that starting from Sunday, all people arriving from those places will have to quarantine in a hotel for 10 days.

On Friday, the UK included South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini on the list.

In his announcement Saturday, the Health Secretary said Angola, Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia would be added to that list.

He also said: "We have always been very clear that we will not hesitate to take further action if that is what is required."

"Today I can announce that one thing we are doing immediately is conducting specific tests and sequencing the positive cases in the two affected areas."

 

LINK: https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-internacional-59432513