Suspected Omicron Infection in Nigerian Visitor... Results Expected Tomorrow Afternoon (Update)

On the 30th, amid ongoing concerns about the COVID-19 Omicron variant, overseas arrivals are waiting at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Minji Lee] The government announced on the 30th that a couple residing in Incheon who visited Nigeria is suspected of being infected with Omicron, a new variant of COVID-19, and tests are being conducted to confirm the variant.

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, a couple from Incheon who visited Nigeria from the 14th to the 23rd and tested positive for COVID-19 is suspected of being infected with the Omicron variant. The couple completed their Moderna vaccination on the 28th of last month before visiting Nigeria, and tested positive for COVID-19 on the 25th after returning. During contact tracing after the confirmation, a total of two additional cases were confirmed among acquaintances and family members.

On the morning of the same day, a variant PCR test on an additional confirmed acquaintance suspected the Omicron variant, and the government is conducting whole genome sequencing on them. The results are expected to be confirmed on the afternoon of the 1st of next month.

Meanwhile, the government has decided to form an inter-ministerial task force (TF) to proactively discuss measures to block and respond to the domestic influx of the Omicron variant.