Britain detected two cases of the new Omicron coronavirus variant on Saturday, even as Australia and other countries joined nations imposing restrictions on travel from southern Africa in an effort to stop its spread. The variant was first discovered in South Africa and had also since been detected in Belgium, Botswana, Israel, and Hong Kong. Dutch authorities said that 61 out of around 600 people who arrived in Amsterdam on two flights from South Africa on Friday had tested positive for the coronavirus. ADVERTISEMENTTravel curbsThe two linked cases of the new Omicron coronavirus variant detected in Britain were connected to travel to southern Africa, health minister Sajid Javid said. Officials in the western German state of Hesse said the Omicron variant has probably arrived in Germany after mutations were found in a passenger arriving from South Africa.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer November 27, 2021 21:25 UTC