Saudi Arabia is the first Middle Eastern country detecting Omicron cases. Dozens of countries joined South Africa, further concerning the international society.
Saudi Arabia verified the first contamination of its residents to the Omicron variant of Covid-19. Riyadh announced that the case came from a country in north Africa. Officials have put the individual and anybody in contact with them in isolation, notice by the country’s health ministry suggested.
Saudi Arabia introduced the first report of Omicron variant contamination in MENA region. The local government stated that the individual was a citizen coming back from a visit to a North African nation. Riyadh, nevertheless, refrained from providing any other information for unknown reasons.
The Health Ministry of Saudi Arabia advised the citizens to join the vaccination program. The office also asked visitors to follow isolation and monitoring guidelines. As a main producer and exporter of petroleum, Riyadh has been of the first the accept negative impact by Omicron. Oil markets experienced a plummeted yesterday following Moderna announcement about vaccine efficacy on Omicron variant.
Omicron Variant; World Response
As several nations verified their first cases of Omicron contamination, the United States, Malaysia, and Japan issued tougher border controls. The practice, adopted now by loads of other countries, is a bid to halt the transmission of the novel Omicron variant. Japan announced today that it will tighten travel restrictions, while Malaysia temporarily barred visitors from the so-called dangerous nations.
Hong Kong has added Japan, Portugal, and Sweden in its entry ban list, while Uzbekistan has suspended flights to Hong Kong and South Africa. Japan, which has previously restricted all foreigner entries, verified the second case with omicron infection. Tokyo declared that its entrance restriction will be extended to visitors originating from ten African nations.
Flights entering the United States will be subject to stricter Covid-19 observation requirements. The American Center for Disease Control declared yesterday that all visitors into the US would require to present proof of a negative Covid-19 test with a one-day interval. Foreign visitors with vaccination documents can now submit a negative test with a three-day interval. Both US residents and foreigners would be subject to the novel testing mandate.
Other countries in the Middle East and elsewhere have also put strict limitations on flights from African countries. World Health Organization, nevertheless, declared that such restriction plans would bring little assistance in controlling the outbreak of Omicron.
Omicron Across the World
Saudi Arabia has been the most recent nation to announce the contamination with Omicron variant. Riyadh confirmed on Wednesday the detection of the first case with the new variant.
Germany, while dealing with a new outbreak of Covid-19 cases and fatalities, stated that four individuals had contracted Omicron. Berlin’s declaration explains that these four individuals were fully vaccinated before the contraction. Germany announced the highest number of covid-19 victims in 9 months. Treatment centers cautioned 6,000 people may need intensive care less than a month before the Christmas holidays.
Nigeria has verified 2 cases of the new variant contamination among visitors arriving from South Africa in recent days. Ghana and Norway joined others today to announce their first case of Omicron.
2 Brazilian nationals also contracted the variant based on a report yesterday. This was first case of the Omicron variant in Latin American region. The Brazilian citizen had visited South Africa days before testing positive for Omicron along with his wife.
Australia identified at least two persons with Omicron while visiting numerous venues in Sydney. This promises more contaminated cases considering the contagion power of the variant. Denmark exacerbated the concerns announcing a case had participated in a concert, days before the detection.
