More Updates on Omicron Variant

28 Nov More Updates on Omicron Variant

Several cases have now been identified in Europe – two in the UK, two in Germany, one in Belgium and another one in Italy, while a suspected case was found in the Czech Republic.

* South Africa has complained it is being punished – instead of applauded – for discovering Omicron. A statement by the South African foreign ministry on Saturday strongly criticised the travel bans, saying “Excellent science should be applauded and not punished.”

The bans were “akin to punishing South Africa for its advanced genomic sequencing and the ability to detect new variants quicker,” it said

* British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new steps to contain the virus, while more nations imposed restrictions on travel from southern Africa.

* Israel, where the new variant has been confirmed, said it would ban the entry of all foreigners into the country and reintroduce counter-terrorism phone-tracking technology to contain the spread of the variant

* Japan said it is extending travel curbs to more African countries, while South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Oman, Kuwait and Hungary announced new travel restrictions.

* Travel and tourism that were revving for recovery appear to have been shut down again. Financial markets plunged on Friday, especially stocks of airlines and others in the travel sector. Oil prices tumbled by about $10 a barrel.

* Nigeria Caseload: On Saturday, 58 new cases, 70 recoveries and zero deaths were recorded. However, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control’s (NCDC) said the cases reported include a backlog of infections from Imo, Niger and the FCT. There is now a total of 213982 confirmed cases, 207184 recoveries and 2975.

The new cases were reported from 10 States as follows: Imo (27), Lagos (9), Rivers (9), Katsina (3), Bayelsa (2), FCT (2), Kano (2), Niger (2), Bauchi (1) and Plateau (1)