BREAKING! Genomic Sequencing Results Of Suspected Omicron Case Found in Germany Confirms Variant Presence. Czech Republic Also Confirms One Case
Source: Omicron or B.1.1.529 Variant Nov 27, 2021 2 years, 11 months, 2 weeks, 2 days, 17 hours, 42 minutes ago
Initially in the early part of the day, a German minister in the western state of Hesse had indicated that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has probably arrived in Germany, after mutations were found in a passenger arriving from South Africa.
Kai Klose, social affairs minister in Hesse, home to Frankfurt airport, Germany's biggest hub and one of Europe's busiest airports tweeted, "Last night several Omicron-typical mutations were found in a traveler returning from South Africa.”
A detailed genomic sequencing test was ordered and the results released in the last few minutes by the German Health Ministry confirmed the presence of the new variant in the suspected case. It was also reported that there might be more additional cases and all are undergoing detailed testing and awaiting results.
The infected individual is currently in an isolation ward in a hospital in Germany.
Kai Klose, the social affairs minister in Hesse has urged anyone who had travelled from South Africa in the last few weeks to limit contacts and get tested.
Worryingly the new
Omicron or B.1.1.529 variant has been found at a time when Germany and many other European countries are grappling with a surge in coronavirus cases.
The Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases said Germany recorded 67,125 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours to date more than 100,000 people have died with COVID-19.
The country is declaring South Africa a virus-variant area, meaning airlines are allowed to fly only Germans to Germany from South Africa. Even those who are vaccinated must spend 14 days in quarantine.
The Czech Republic also said it had found a Omicron case in a person who came from Africa in the last few hours.
It was also reported that the genomic sequencing results of 61 suspected Omicron cases in Netherlands are anxiously being waited for by the health authorities there.
Earlier, Dutch health officials said they had detected 61 COVID-19 cases among people who flew from South Africa on Friday and are trying to establish whether any were infected with the Omicron variant.
Another 52 suspected cases are also being investigated in France and the same goes for another 31 cases in the UK.
There are also suspected cases in Qatar, Egypt, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and even in the United States. In the next few days and weeks, the extent of the Omicron spread will become more clearer as more genomic sequencing results are available.
For the latest on the Omicron or B.1.1.529 variant, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
