Cases of the omicron variant have been detected in Switzerland and Scotland, a sign that the new, mutation-heavy COVID-19 strain is spreading across the globe.
Switzerland’s Federal Office for Public Health announced in a tweet on Sunday that the first probable case of the new strain was detected in an individual who returned roughly a week ago from South Africa, where the omicron variant was first discovered.
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In Scotland, six cases of the omicron variant have been detected, according to Reuters. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said not all of the omicron cases are linked to travel from South Africa or have a connection to individuals who were recently in southern Africa, raising concerns about community transmission.
“This suggests that there might already be some community transmission of this variant,” Sturgeon reportedly said at a news conference.
“There is no evidence yet that this is sustained, nor any evidence from the enhanced surveillance that it is widespread at this stage,” she added.
She also said that, based on the timeline, it is unlikely, though not impossible, that the omicron cases are linked to the COP26 climate change conference, which convened in Glasgow earlier this month with officials from a number of countries.
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The Federal Office for Public Health said sequencing will help bring clarity to the situation in the days to come.https://t.co/FpGqJXF0Gi
— The Hill (@thehill) November 29, 2021
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