Sixty-one passengers from two flights from South Africa tested positive for Covid-19 upon arrival in Amsterdam, the Dutch health authority announced on Saturday (November 27th), which is analyzing the results for the new Omicron variant. “We now know that 61 of the results were positive and 531 negative,” announced the Dutch health authority (GGD), adding that passengers who tested positive have been quarantined at a hotel near Amsterdam Airport Schipol .
The tested passengers arrived in Amsterdam on Friday. Those with negative results will be able to continue their trip if they do not reside in the Netherlands. Otherwise, they will have to isolate themselves at their home. “The positive tests will be analyzed to determine as soon as possible whether it is the new variant,” they added.
>> Read also – Covid-19: the Omicron variant represents a “high to very high” risk for Europe
A new variant of the coronavirus, Omicron, detected for the first time Thursday in South Africa is considered “worrying” by the WHO. It represents a “high to very high” risk for Europe, warned the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on Friday evening. It would present an increased risk of contagion compared to other variants, including Delta, dominant and already very contagious.
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Apart from South Africa, Omicron has been detected in Malawi, Israel on a person from Malawi, Botswana, Hong Kong and Belgium, a member of the EU. More countries are suspending travel to and from southern Africa to curb Omicron. The worry it causes has plunged the world’s stock markets and oil prices, dealing a further blow to the global economy in full recovery.
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