The first cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 in Nigeria have been announced.
Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, Director-General of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) made the disclosure in a press statement issued today, Wednesday, December 1, 2021
The health agency said the three cases of the variant were discovered through genomic sequencing, linking the cases to three passengers from South Africa.
“Samples obtained for the stipulated day two test for all travellers to Nigeria were positive for this variant in three persons with a history of travel to South Africa,” the statement read.
It further revealed that “These cases were recent arrivals in the country in the past week. Follow up to ensure isolation, linkage to clinical care, contact tracing and other relevant response activities have commenced. Arrangements are also being made to notify country where travel originated according to the provisions of the International Health Regulations.”
Recall that the DG on Tuesday, December 30, 2021, cautioned that there were, ‘’pipeline samples that are in process…’’ whose results could change Nigeria’s Omicron-free status.
Omicron variant, a new strain of the coronavirus disease, was reported by South Africa.
However, Dutch health authorities have reportedly indicated that the Omicron variant was present in the Netherlands earlier than previously thought and before South Africa reported it.
So far, the variant has been detected in many countries including the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Belgium, Botswana, Israel, Australia, and Hong Kong.
