COVID-19: United Arab Emirates reports first case of Omicron

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Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan / Gulf News

Dubai: Authorities in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday confirmed the detection of the first case of the Omicron variant in the country.

The Department of Health and Prevention announced that the individual had arrived from an African country and was passing through the United Arab Emirates. The patient has been vaccinated against COVID-19 according to the approved national protocol, authorities added.

Saudi Arabia also announced on Wednesday the first case of Omicron detected in the Kingdom. A person in California who had been vaccinated against COVID-19 became the first in the United States to have an identified case of the omicron variant, the White House said on Wednesday. The latest variant of the coronavirus disease was named Omicron by the WHO and was first detected and reported by researchers in South Africa.

The United Arab Emirates had suspended inbound flights from 7 countries over concerns over the spread of COVID-19 variants. The travel ban came into effect on Monday, November 29.

Dr Farida Al Hosani, official spokesperson for the health sector, said at a press briefing last week that relevant authorities in the United Arab Emirates are monitoring the latest developments regarding the new variant of COVID-19 to take the necessary measures accordingly.

She clarified that the World Health Organization report, according to which there are important genetic mutations that may affect the characteristics of the virus and the speed of its spread more than previous ones, requires further research and investigation. .

Al Hosani stressed during the briefing the importance of respecting precautionary measures, including wearing masks, regular hand washing and maintaining social distance. She added that these key factors would play a crucial role in curbing the spread of COVID-19.

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