On Sunday, Australia becomes the latest country to detect the omicron Variant of the Coronavirus. The travelers who flew into Sydney from South Africa were test positive. According to Reuters, the eastern state of New South Wales’ health authorities conducted urgent genomic testing. The test came positive, and it was confirmed that the new strain was present in two passengers who landed on Saturday.
NSW Health statement said that both of the passengers were traveling from South Africa, arrive in Australia on a Qatar Airways flight via Doha. NSW health said, ‘’ the two positive cases, who were asymptomatic, are in isolation in the special health accommodation. Both people are fully vaccinated.’’ However, 12 passengers in the same flight did come negative, but they have been place in quarantine.
Meanwhile, 260 passengers and the crew on the plan also have been in isolation, the health authority said.
New Restrictions
Besides, Australia many countries have closed their borders for international travel including the latest ban from Israel. Australia imposed new restrictions on Saturday for people who have been to South African countries. The concerns are this new variant omicron brings another wave of the pandemic.
Alongside Australia, Britain, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic and Israel detected Omicron cases. According to Radio New Zealand reports, the country will announce fresh measures from Sunday evening.
Earlier this month, Australia had eased its international border restrictions for the first time. It allows fully vaccinated residents to return to the country without facing Quarantine.
World Health Organization shows Concerns over the new Variant
Another traveler is still waiting for the results to see if they are carrying the Omicron Variant. The World Health Organization (WHO) declare Omicron a ‘’ variant of concern’’ which university of Sydney epidemiologist Alexandra Martiniuk said was ‘’ very quick’’.
Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly says there is little known about Omicron, it is ‘’quite different’’ to previous variants of concern.
He added we do not, at this point, have any clear indication that it is more severe, or any definite indication of issues concerning the vaccine. ‘’ Though, scientists around the world are working to know more about this new variant. Professor Baxter, head of the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health said, ‘’ we all look back at Delta and wish we had acted faster on the information we had,’’
He added, ‘’ Authorities will keep an eye on other countries where Omicron may already have spread.’’
