COVID-19: How Nigeria confirms 3 cases of Omicron variant through SA passengers ─NCDC

*The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control says it has confirmed three cases of the Omicron variant through genomic sequencing, linking the cases to three passengers from South Africa (SA)

Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced the discovery of three cases of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 in the West African country.

ConsumerConnect reports the health regulatory agency morning on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, said that the three cases of the variant were discovered through genomic sequencing, linking the cases to three passengers from South Africa.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), genomic sequencing has been very important for the COVID-19 response.

As new variants of the COVID-19 are forming all the time, genomic data has guided countries to make quick and informed public health decisions since the start of the pandemic, said the global health body.

Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, Director-General of NCDC, in a statement issued by the centre disclosed that since reports of the emergence of the Omicron variant, the Federal Ministry of Health, through the NCDC, has intensified public health response measures to COVID-19 in Nigeria.

Following the discovery of the Omicron variant in South Africa, report indicates that it was first detected in Europe in Belgium November 27, 2021.

Other European countries, including Germany, Italy and the UK, have confirmed cases. Australia also reported cases November 28, 2021.

Whereas the European Union (EU) November 27, 2021, moved to ban travel from seven Southern African countries, as other countries, including the US and UK, are adopting similar moves.

Israel late Saturday went further, imposing a two week travel band for all non-residents.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that Canada has banned travellers from more African countries, including Nigeria over fears of the spread of the new Omicron variant.

Likewise, travellers to the United States (US) may now have a tough time entering into the country, agency report stated.

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