COVID-19: Omicron sparks global concerns after detection in more nations; check out list

World Health Organization (WHO) updated information it has received on new COVID variant Omicron so far and ted that it was called 'concerning' "based on evidence presented to TAG-VE that Omicron has several mutations that may have an impact on how it behaves."  new B.1.1.529 variant was designated as a “variant of concern” by WHO on Friday. w, strain is being detected in several travellers arriving from several nations including Australia, Israel and even Nerlands. 

United Nations (UN) health ncy also named new coronavirus variant Omicron after a letter in Greek alphabet. While it still remains unclear where variant first emerged, it was scientists in South Africa that alerted WHO in recent days.  South African scientists detected new version of coronavirus which according to m drove recent spike of COVID-19 cases in nation’s most populous province, Gauteng. South African health minister Joe Phaahla said that variant was linked to an “exponential rise” of country’s cases in last few days. As per AP, Tulio de Oliveira, director of KwaZulu-Natal Research Invation and Sequencing Platform stated that as many as 90% of new cases in Gauteng are caused by Omicron variant.

List of nations where Omicron is detected

South Africa

South African scientists flagged Omicron variant to WHO on 24 vember after country witnessed a steep rise of Coronavirus cases. Scientists have also ted that B.1.1.529 has a high number of mutations. From United States to Germany, several countries have identified South Africa as a virus-variant area or lowered travel advisory to nation. Meanwhile, UK has also added South Africa among or such countries on its travel “red” list.

Just on Saturday, South Africa said that it is being “punished” for discovering Omicron variant. In a press release, country’s foreign ministry said that different governments are imposing travel restrictions on South Africa while WHO has pleaded world leaders “t to eng in knee-jerk reactions and has cautioned against imposition of travel restrictions.” Meanwhile, caseload of country as of 29 vember has reached 2,961,406 with 2,858 new cases reported.

South African Foreign Ministry said, “This latest round of travel bans is akin to punishing South Africa for its advanced gemic sequencing and ability to detect new variants quicker. Excellent science should be applauded and t punished.” 

Botswana

African nation outside of South Africa, Botswana said on Sunday that it has detected 19 new infections of Omicron variant including first four infections that were declared last week. Botswana’s Health Minister Edwin Dikoloti said at a press conference that “As of today we have recorded a total of 19 cases of variant.” latest anuncement regarding COVID-19 cases with new variant came after country said on Friday that it declared highly-mutated variant among four or nationals. 

UK

UK’s Health Security ncy said that third case of Omicron coronavirus variant was detected in country. As per BBC report, person was longer in UK but had visited Westminster in London. third case was reportedly identified after British government set out measures in response to variant such as mandatory facemasks in shops and public transport in England. UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid told media outlet that ministers had acted “swiftly” and “in a proportionate way” as news of variant emerged. 

Germany

Germany has said that it had detected a total of three cases of new Omicron coronavirus variant after a suspected infection in western state of Hesse was confirmed, reported DW. German Social Affairs Minister in state of Hesse had tweeted, “ sequencing has confirmed result — suspected case which was made public yesterday morning is Omicron variant.” Earlier, on Saturday, he had said that a suspected omicron case was discovered in a passenger arriving from South Africa in Hesse.

Nerlands

On Sunday, 28 vember, Dutch authorities reportedly anunced that at least 13 people had tested positive for COVID-19 at Amsterdam Schipol airport after travelling from South Africa. A CNN report stated that Nerlands' National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM) said in a statement that Omicron variant was detected through sequencing of 61 positive Coronavirus samples that were collected at airport on Friday. institution furr ted that it is “possible that new variant will be found in more test samples.”

Israel

According to Times of Israel, at least two cases of Omicron variant have been detected in Israel along with at least seven suspected infections. three persons among additional suspected infections of Omicron have t recently travelled abroad. This has reportedly furr raised fears of community transmission within Israel while country is to ban foreigners from entering country for 14 days and use surveillance to halt spread of newly-detected variant. 

Meanwhile, Israeli Health Ministry’s head of public health, Sharon Alroy-Preis, said in briefing that Omicron variant was “under control”. He said in a press briefing, “We assumed a new variant would show up. Thanks to our defensive and enforcement measures, we located this variant quickly”, adding “We were among first to find and isolate it. matter is under control. re’s need for fear or panic.” Israel decided to shut its border for travellers from South Africa as UN health ncy called on countries to keep ir borders open.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong has said that it has detected three new cases of Omicron. ECNS report stated that city has tightened its quarantine rules for arrivals after recording at least two cases of new variant that was flagged by South African scientists. While Omicron strain is confirmed in two imported cases, mutation test is reportedly pending for third case.

So far, Hong Kong has recorded at least 12, 427 infections of coronavirus but has t recorded any local infections in recent months. Meanwhile, city has banned entry of nresidents who have stayed in eight South African nations in last 21 days. se South African countries include South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Belgium

Belgium was first European nation to report Omicron in country. According to Euro News, Belgium’s Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke had said “We have a case that is w confirmed of this variant...This is someone who came from abroad, who tested positive on vember 22, who was t vaccinated." country’s chief virologist, Mark Van Ranst said that variant was detected in a “returning traveller from Egypt”. first detection of a person with B.1.1.529 variant was anunced on Thursday. 

Australia

Australia detected Omicron strain among two people who arrived in Sydney from Sourn Africa on Sunday prompting PM Scott Morrison-led government to review its plan to reopen border to skilled migrants and students from 1 December. Meanwhile, officials have ordered a 14-day quarantine for citizens who are returning from nine African nations. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said that "it is a bit too early” to reinstate two-week mandatory hotel quarantine for foreign travellers. He also called for calm as data was still t verified. 

Italy

latest European nation to detect Omicron variant’s case is Italy. Reportedly, Italian National Health Institute said that a case of new variant was detected in Milan in a person who arrived from Mozambique. case was anunced on Saturday. tably, person who tested positive for new variant of coronavirus had received two doses of vaccine. Italy’s government had urged all regions to increase ir tracing of virus and sequencing to detect cases with Omicron strain.

(IM: AP/Pixabay)