Nigeria confirms cases of Omicron in passengers from South Africa
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed two cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
NCDC director-general Ifedayo Adetifa announced the two Omicron cases were discovered through genomic sequencing and linked the cases to two passengers from South Africa.
Mr Adetifa added that both patients were asymptomatic, and contact tracing had begun.
“In line with the routine travel tests required of all international travellers and genomic sequencing at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control through its National Reference Laboratory, Abuja, confirms Nigeria’s first case of the Omicron variant,” Mr Adetifa explained on Wednesday.
He had earlier said the NCDC was analysing outbound and inbound travellers from countries with confirmed cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
This development came amidst several flight bans over the fear of spreading the new variant, which shows resistance to the vaccine and built up immunity.
The World Health Organisation has listed Omicron as a ‘variant of concern’ and said it could take several weeks to know if there are significant changes in transmissibility, severity or implications for COVID-19 vaccines, tests, and treatments.
On Tuesday, 42 cases of the Omicron variant were confirmed in 10 EU countries. Other countries like Botswana, Australia, Israel, Hong Kong and Belgium have also confirmed the presence of the variant.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Court adjourns Benue candidates’ suit against APC until August 27
The judge warned that absence of any counsel resulting in a delay of the proceedings would attract sanctions.
Heading 4
Gov. Sani lectures states on how to copy Kaduna’s peace model
Mr Sani stressed that quality healthcare is not for a privileged few in Kaduna State but ‘’a fundamental right of everyone, particularly the downtrodden.’’
Heading 2
CBN retains benchmark interest rate at 26.5%
The latest decision to maintain the current policy stance followed a thorough assessment of the balance of risks.
Abuja
Two Abuja security guards, one other arraigned over alleged theft iron rods worth N5 million
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.
States
Kaduna man begs court to compel 27-year-old daughter to get suitor, marry
The defendant said she has no serious suitor.
Abuja
COAS inaugurates 114 housing units for troops in Abuja
Mr Lar said quality accommodation would boost morale, strengthen operational readiness and improve the wellbeing of personnel and their families.
