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South Africa is the place the brand new Omicron variant was first reported to the World Well being Organisation (WHO) this week. The brand new Covid pressure has now been recognized in seven different international locations, together with the UK, nevertheless it’s feared it has already infiltrated many extra. Right here, Specific.co.uk takes a deeper have a look at the Omicron variant and the place it’s been recognized up to now.
The emergence of the Omicron Covid variant – initially named B.1.1.529 – was first reported to the WHO on Wednesday.
Well being officers have mentioned early proof of the variant means that it comprises many mutations and that there’s a increased threat of reinfection.
The Omicron pressure’s emergence has led to many international locations, together with the UK, US and Australia, introducing journey bans and restrictions on nations from southern Africa.
Since first being reported on Wednesday the variant has been recognized in seven different international locations unfold throughout Africa, Europe and Asia.
This afternoon the UK confirmed it had identied its first two circumstances, that are each linked with journey to South Africa.
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South Africa’s northern neighbour, Botswana, is the one different nation in Africa to have formally recognized a case of the Omicron variant at this level.
Yesterday the Belgium Well being Minister, Frank Vandenbroucke, confirmed that the nation had turn into the primary in Europe to establish a case of the pressure.
Belgian officers later revealed that the variant was detected in a traveller coming back from Egypt.
The 2 remaining international locations to have recognized concrete circumstances of the Omicron variant are Israel and Hong Kong.
Earlier in the present day Germany and Czech Republic additionally confirmed that it had discovered suspected circumstances of the brand new pressure.
The Omicron pressure has prompted many international powers to introduce journey bans and restrictions on travellers from nations in southern Africa in an try and cease it from spreading.
On Thursday, the UK introduced that individuals travelling from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini wouldn’t be capable of enter the nation until they’re UK or Irish nationals, or UK residents.
As of 4.00am on Sunday, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Angola can even be added to this checklist.
The US has launched comparable measures which are poised to return into impact on Monday.
A number of European international locations, reminiscent of France, Italy and Germany, have imposed restrictions on travellers from South Africa and neighbouring international locations that embody a 14 day quarantine interval for all no matter their vaccination standing.
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The European Fee has urged all EU international locations to observe swimsuit.
In an announcement on Friday the Fee’s President, Ursula von der Leyen, mentioned that “all air journey to those international locations ought to be suspended”.
Different international locations to have put in place journey restrictions embody Australia, Japan, India, Brazil, Canada, Thailand and Iran.
The WHO has mentioned that the variety of circumstances of the Omicron variant seemed to be rising throughout all of South Africa’s provinces.
In an announcement the UN public well being physique mentioned: “This variant has a lot of mutations, a few of that are regarding.”
WHO officers say it should take a number of weeks earlier than they will perceive how transmissible the brand new variant is.
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