61 Passengers Test Positive on Flight from South Africa to the Netherlands... Suspected Omicron Infection
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] On the 27th (local time), new COVID-19 variant virus 'Omicron' infection cases were consecutively confirmed in Europe. Following Belgium the previous day, new variant infections were confirmed on the same day in the UK, Germany, Italy, and the Czech Republic.
According to AFP and others on the 27th (local time), after Belgium confirmed the first new variant infection case in Europe the previous day, two variant virus infections were reported in the UK on the same day.
Sajid Javid, UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced that cases of COVID-19 variant Omicron infection were confirmed in Chelmsford and Nottingham respectively on the day. Secretary Javid explained that the two people currently in self-isolation had traveled to South Africa.
In Bavaria, southern Germany, two Omicron infection cases were confirmed. The Bavarian Ministry of Health stated that these two individuals entered Germany through Munich Airport on the 24th and are currently in quarantine. On Twitter, Heiko Klose, Minister for Social Affairs of Hesse in central-west Germany, said that a traveler who returned from South Africa the previous night showed several typical symptoms of the new variant and is highly suspected to be infected with the new variant.
Italian health authorities also reported the first infection case in a person from Mozambique. The Italian National Institute of Health (ISS) stated, "The health condition of the patient and their family is good," and that further verification is underway.
A regional hospital in Liberec, a northern city in the Czech Republic, also announced on the day that Omicron was confirmed in a female patient.
In the Netherlands, 61 passengers tested positive for COVID-19 on two flights arriving from South Africa at Amsterdam Airport the previous day. The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) stated in a statement that night that Omicron was probably detected in some of those tested. RIVM added that it is "almost certain" that these cases involve the new variant, but additional tests are needed for confirmation, with results expected on the 28th.
The new variant infection case confirmed in Belgium was an unvaccinated young adult woman who first tested positive for COVID-19 on the 22nd. The local institute reported that she traveled to Egypt via Turkey and showed cold-like symptoms after returning on the 11th of this month, leading to her diagnosis.
Omicron, known to be more contagious than the existing Delta variant, was first discovered in Botswana, an African country, and is spreading in South Africa. Infections have also been confirmed in Hong Kong and Israel.
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