“We have found the Omicron coronavirus variant in two test samples that were taken on 19 and 23 November,” the Dutch health ministry said yesterday. “It is not yet clear whether these people had also visited southern Africa,” the ministry added.
Evidence that Omicron had arrived in Europe earlier than previously known came as Anthony Fauci, the chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden, said the tally of Omicron variant cases had reached 226 in 20 countries, although it had not yet been detected in the US.
Fauci added that despite the emergence of the new variant, evidence from South Africa, where Omicron was first identified last week, so far did not suggest any unusual symptoms associated with the new strain, although it was not clear if it could lead to more severe disease.
Concern over Omicron has prompted 56 countries to issue new travel restrictions. However, in travel advice issued yesterday, the World Health Organization cautioned against “blanket” travel bans but advised those who were unwell, those who had conditions that might lead to more severe Covid-19 and people over 60 not to travel.
This story is from the December 01, 2021 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the December 01, 2021 edition of The Guardian.
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