“In our investigation, which is still ongoing, we have so far found 13 cases of the omicron variant,” the National Institutes of Health said in a statement.
The group of infected passengers arrived in the country on two flights from South Africa, on Friday (26). On Saturday they underwent more tests. They are all in isolation.
Dutch Health Minister Hugo de Jong said at a press conference that it was “not inconceivable” that more cases of the type would emerge in the country.
“This may be the tip of the iceberg,” Jung said.
The omicron variant of the coronavirus was classified by World Health Organization (WHO) How do “variable anxiety”Several countries have restricted travel to South Africa.
Also on Sunday, Denmark announced that it had found an omicron variant in travelers who had arrived in the country. They are in isolation and their contacts have been traced.
On Saturday, Germany set a omicron case also imported. He was isolated shortly after he was diagnosed with the disease.
United kingdom, With two confirmed casesHealth measures strengthened and ordered Test and isolate all travelers – from any country – Arrive on the island within the next ten days.
Passengers trying to return from South Africa after discovering an omicron variant were stranded at the airport amid flight cancellations and further restrictions. See the video below.
Passengers stranded in South Africa after discovering a new micron variant
Flights suspended in the Netherlands
On Friday morning, the Dutch government banned all flights from South Africa. However, two KLM flights, with about 600 passengers, arrived in Amsterdam.
Health Minister Hugo de Jong has ordered passengers who were already on their way to the Netherlands to undergo tests and quarantine upon arrival in the country.
Covid: What is known about the new variant discovered in South Africa
Hundreds of passengers, who came from Cape Town and Johannesburg, complained on social media of “waiting hours” on the runway.
The American “New York Times” reporter, Stephanie Nolen, was on one of the flights, and she even recounted the scene of the confusion.
“Lots of applause because the bus has arrived which will take us…somewhere,” the journalist wrote.
Passengers line up at Amsterdam International Airport on November 26, 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic – Photo: Reuters
Nolin, who claimed to have tested positive for the virus, said the bus had arrived at a testing area “in a big queue.”
“I can see my Covid testers in bright blue clothes in the front,” he recounted. “There are still no snacks for crying babies.”
A spokesman for the health authorities in Kenmerland – the area responsible for Schiphol airport – said the positive cases were being followed up by the University Hospital.
The omicron variant was discovered at a time when many European countries are battling an increase in coronavirus cases.
The Dutch government has announced the closure of bars, restaurants and shops at night in an attempt to contain a record wave of Covid cases.
New infections, mainly affecting the unvaccinated part of the population, are straining the Dutch healthcare system.
The first case in Belgium, the border closed
on Friday, and Belgium Discovery of a case of Covid-19 infection associated with the omicron variant of the coronavirus. went to For the first time a new alternative has been identified in Europe.
The variant is worrying because it contains 50 mutations – something never seen before – with more than 30 in protein S (spike) – the “key” the virus uses to attach itself to cells, the target of most vaccines available.
Belgium detects the first case in Europe of the new Covid-19 variant
The United Kingdom on Thursday (25) imposed travel restrictions on South Africa and five other countries on the continent. The European Commission has proposed suspending flights from South Africa to the European Union.
Germany has announced that it will not accept travelers from South Africa, and Italy has also banned entry to anyone who has visited 7 countries in South Africa in the past 14 days.
Israel Its borders will be closed to foreigners for the next two weeks Because of the risks of a new outbreak of a fast-moving variant.
As of the last update of this report, there were no cases of the new omicron variant of Covid-19 registered in Brazil.
The Federal Government announced that as of Monday (29), It will restrict travelers from South Africa, Botswana, Swatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
The announcement follows a recommendation previously made by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa). See the video below.
Anvisa director says Brazil ‘cannot be attractive to anti-vaccine tourism’
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