Omicron Outbreak: List of countries where new COVID-19 variant has been detected

In addition, several countries have also banned travelers from South Africa and its neighboring countries, because of the threat of the new coronavirus variant from Omicron.

NS World Health Organization Omicron as a ‘type of concern’ and said it could take several weeks to know if there are significant changes in transmission, severity or implications for COVID vaccines, tests and treatments.

Here is a list of countries that have reported cases of the new Covid-19 variant:

1. Australia

The Australian Department of Health has detected the Kovid Omicron strain in two travelers in Sydney. Both the passengers came from South Africa and reached Australia on a Qatar Airways flight via Doha.

The other 12 passengers from southern Africa on the same flight did not test positive for Covid, but were placed in quarantine.

2. Italy

Italian news agency LaPresse says an Italian who traveled to Mozambique has tested positive for the Omicron variant. Five members of the family, including two school children, have also tested positive.

3. Germany

The Omicron variant was confirmed in two passengers who took off from South Africa on 24 November. Genome sequencing is not yet complete, but it “can no doubt be of this type,” the German news agency DPA reported.

4. Netherlands

Dutch health officials said they had detected 61 Covid-19 cases in people who flew in from South Africa on Friday and believe at least some of the infections are from the new Omicron variant.

5. UK

The United Kingdom has detected two cases of the Omicron variant. British Health Minister Sajid Javid said the two linked cases of the new variant detected in Britain were linked to travel to southern Africa.

6. Israel

The country has taken several emergency measures after a case of the new COVID-19 variant was identified on 26 November.

The health ministry said the new strain first detected by South Africa – known as B.1.1.1.529 – was traced to a man from Malawi.

7. Hong Kong

After South Africa, Hong Kong became the second country to report two cases on the Omicron strain.

8. Botswana

The country has so far recorded one case of the new coronavirus variant

9. Belgium

Belgium also detected a case of the new Omicron variant yesterday.

So far, India has not reported any case of Omicron type. Yesterday, two South African nationals were tested positive in Karnataka. However, it turned out that they were infected with the delta variant rather than the new Omicron strain.