The first two suspected Omikron cases have been in Upper Austria since Monday. One person was in South Africa, one in Namibia. Upon their return, they tested positive for Corona. According to reports, there is one person from the Braunau district and one from the Schrding district. As reported, Omikron has been classified as “Concerning” by the World Health Organization. The state crisis team confirmed two suspected cases yesterday, but did not disclose any details about age, place of residence or purpose of travel for data protection reasons.
As long as the genome sequencing of the two people’s PCR samples has not been completed, it is not yet clear whether they are actually omicrons. The sequencing is carried out by the Federal Health Agency AGES. “Our experts are in close coordination with the Ministry of Health,” said Deputy Governor Christine Haberlander (VP). The tightened entry regulations are a “correct measure”.
Video: Suspected Omikron cases in Upper Austria
In the first suspected Omikron case that became known on Saturday in Tyrol, it has been clear since yesterday that it is the new variant. “The Ministry of Health now has all the results that are needed for confirmation,” said the Ministry. Affected by the infection with variant B.1.1.529 is a person who tested positive after traveling to South Africa and who currently has no symptoms. The alleged suspected case also infected two people from the same household. The sequencing is still running, but “with a 95 percent certainty” it is Omikron, says virologist Dorothee von Laer.
Omikron will probably have already arrived in Vienna, said Vienna City Councilor for Health Peter Hacker (SP). One can assume that it is present all over Europe. The third vaccination is all the more important. Innsbruck-based virologist Dorothee von Laer also recommends “under no circumstances” to wait until the introduction of a possibly Omicron-optimized vaccine with the third corona vaccination.
Source From: Nachrichten
