Suspected 'Omicron' Case Reported in Germany... Authorities "Confirming"

A woman is walking past a TV repair shop in Cape Town, South Africa, on the 26th (local time). The World Health Organization (WHO) is consulting with South African authorities regarding the detection of a new variant of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), 'B.1.1.529.60', in South Africa. As a result, many flights connecting South Africa and Europe have been suspended.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] Major foreign media reported that authorities are confirming suspected cases of infection with the COVID-19 variant virus 'Omicron' in some European countries, including Germany and the Czech Republic.

According to major foreign media on the 27th, Hai Kloze, the Minister of Social Affairs of Hesse in central-west Germany, stated that the possibility of Omicron landing in Germany is very high. He tweeted that a traveler who returned from South Africa last night showed several typical symptoms of the new variant, and genomic sequencing is underway.

He added that it is highly suspected that this person is infected with the new variant. This person entered through Frankfurt Airport and is currently in home quarantine. The Czech health authorities also announced that they are investigating one suspected case of Omicron infection on the same day. The Czech authorities added that this person spent time in Namibia, Africa.

Due to the emergence of 'Omicron,' which is known to be more contagious than the existing Delta variant, countries in Europe including Germany and the Czech Republic, as well as countries around the world, are imposing entry restrictions on southern African countries such as South Africa. 'Omicron' was first discovered in Botswana, an African country, and is spreading in South Africa. Infections have been confirmed in Belgium following Hong Kong and Israel.