Omicron: Europe's first reported case of new COVID variant has been discovered in Belgium

[dalton99a]

https://www.euronews.com/2021/11/26/europe-s-first-reported-case-of-new-covid-variant-has-been-discovered-in-belgium
Omicron: Europe's first reported case of new COVID variant has been discovered in Belgium
By Euronews • Updated: 26/11/2021 - 20:21

Europe's first reported case of a new COVID variant has been discovered in Belgium.

The B.1.1.529 variant, which is causing concern because of its "extremely high" number of mutations, was first detected in South Africa.

Health minister Frank Vandenbroucke said it had now been found in Belgium.

"We have a case that is now confirmed of this variant," he said on Friday. "This is someone who came from abroad, who tested positive on November 22, who was not vaccinated."

The country's chief virologist, Mark Van Ranst, said the variant was detected in "a returning traveller from Egypt".

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If it is in Europe, it is reasonable to assume it is in the U.S.

[applegrove]

1. A Canadian in Hong Kong tested positive for the new variant. They don't know if they got it before

or after he left Canada so they are doing contact tracing here in Canada.

[Ms. Toad]

2. Is this the one across the hall from the Hong Kong traveler from South Africa? n/t

[applegrove]

3. I think it was something like that when I paid attention to the National on TV

this hour. Heard it first on the radio where they suggested it was not likely they got it in Canada but they were going to check anyhow.

[GPV]

4. Son looks likely to return fro NL next week.Hasn't had a booster yet.