Countries with suspected local transmission of the Omicron variant

Months after COVID-19 cases in various countries surged due to the highly contagious Delta variant, a new variant has been detected in South Africa that is feared to be more transmissible due to its 50 mutations.

The B.1.1.529 or the Omicron variant was detected in South Africa on November 24 and was blamed for the increase in cases in the country. It was also detected in Hong Kong and Botswana.

Two days later, on November 26, the World Health Organization classified the Omicron variant as a variant of concern.

On the same day, the Philippines enforced temporary travel restrictions on South Africa, Botswana, and five other southern African countries with local cases or with the likelihood of occurrences of the Omicron variant.

On November 28, seven more countries, all in Europe, were added to the list.

The Inter-Agency Task Force, meanwhile, recently imposed new testing and quarantine protocols for travelers arriving from countries that are not on the red list.

As of December 5, with at least 42 countries or jurisdictions having detected the variant, here is the list of countries that are suspected to have local transmission of the variant.

South Africa

Based on the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts submissions, South Africa reported 183 Omicron variant cases so far.

Since its detection, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the variant has comprised 75% to 100% of sequenced cases in the Gauteng Region of South Africa.

“Reports state that this is 75% of the total sequenced in the country for the month of November,” Vergeire said in a media briefing.

Botswana

At present, Botswana has confirmed 19 cases of the Omicron variant.

Of this, 16 are asymptomatic while 14 are foreign nationals.

Belgium

Two individuals have tested positive for the variant in Belgium.

One confirmed case is an unvaccinated individual with a travel history to Egypt while the second case is still under investigation.

“Early reports state that it is not linked to the first case,” Vergeire said.

Italy

According to Vergeire, the first Omicron case in Italy is a fully-vaccinated individual with a travel history to Mozambique.

Five family members of the Omicron case have also tested positive for COVID-19, but it is unclear if they have been infected with the new variant.

“However, five additional cases of the Omicron variant, all with links to the son of the first case have been confirmed as well,” Vergeire said.

Netherlands

Meanwhile, the Netherlands has found that 14 out of 61 individuals in a flight from South Africa were positive for the Omicron variant while other cases are still under review.

“Additionally, they report two additional samples taken between November 19 to 23 before South Africa announced its presence. It is still unclear whether these two individuals have traveled to South Africa,” she said.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, 13 individuals have tested positive for the Omicron variant in England, one of which has already left the UK upon detection.

Two doctors in Israel also who had returned from London tested positive while nine cases were reported in Scotland, but not all had travel history to South Africa.

“Community transmission is suspected by their health officials and the UK met the yellow risk metrics,” she said.

Portugal

Portugal, meanwhile, reported 13 confirmed cases of the variant related to a soccer game over the weekend with one player recently having returned from South Africa.

At present, 44 players and staff members are in isolation while waiting for their repeat tests.

Portugal is included in the country’s yellow list.

Canada

Ten cases have been confirmed in Canada, five of which had travel history to Nigeria while the remaining two are still under investigation.

A case detected in Hong Kong is a fully-vaccinated traveler with travel history from Vancouver, Canada on November 10.

After initially testing negative on November 12 and November 14, the traveler experienced symptoms on November 17 and tested positive the next day.

Canada is included in the country’s yellow list.

South Korea

South Korea reported five cases of the variant, all of which have mild symptoms.

The first two were a fully-vaccinated couple that arrived from Nigeria. They were exempted from quarantine due to being fully vaccinated.

According to Vergeire, the individual who drove the couple home had also tested positive for Omicron while the couple’s son is currently being sequenced.

Another unvaccinated couple with travel history to Nigeria also tested positive for the variant.

South Korea is included in the country’s yellow list.

Nigeria

At present, Nigeria has reported only three confirmed cases from individuals who arrived from South Africa.

However, confirmed cases in Canada, South Korea, and Ghana have reported travel history to Nigeria.

Nigeria is under the country’s green list.

Norway

In Norway, an individual who attended a Christmas party had tested positive for the variant.

Since then, 41 others attendees and nine other guests living in neighboring municipalities had tested positive for COVID-19.

USA

The United States has, meanwhile, reported three confirmed cases of the variant.

One of the cases is a fully-vaccinated individual who had attended a convention in New York and tested positive upon returning to Minnesota.

The two others are individuals with travel history to South Africa.

“These two cases are unrelated,” Vergeire said.

Iceland

Similarly, Iceland reported three confirmed cases of the variant, of which one is a fully vaccinated individual with no recent travel history.

“The individual is currently in the hospital and is presenting with moderate symptoms. Four more cases are currently under investigation,” she said.

Switzerland

Three individuals in Switzerland have also tested positive for the Omicron variant.

One of these is a fully-vaccinated student that has no reported travel activity while two cases had returned from South Africa.

Australia

During the December 6 briefing, Vergeire announced that Australia has been included in the list of countries suspected to have a local case of the variant.

Australia reported 14 cases, wherein one is a student from Sydney with no link to any of the returning travelers.

“All reported cases are asymptomatic or very mild,” Vergeire said.

The country is currently included in the yellow list.

Zambia

Meanwhile, Zambia is another addition to the list after it reported a case of an unvaccinated individual with no reported travel history.

The country has recorded three cases so far.

“Zambia would normally fall under the green listed country,” Vergeire said.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe has reported 50 cases, of which 20 were detected at a teacher training college while 22 were from an under-17 soccer team.

Zimbabwe is included in the country’s red list.

As of December 5, a total of 532 individuals across the globe have tested positive for the Omicron variant, according to Vergeire. —DVM/KG, GMA News