NSW Health has just confirmed two returned travellers have tested positive for the new Omicron COVID-19 variant in Sydney as the presence of the new form of Coronavirus continues to grow across the world. ABC confirms this makes them the first known cases of the new strain in Australia.
WHO named the variant B.1.1.529 Omicron, on the advice of WHO’s Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution (TAG-VE). The new variant was first discovered on November 11, 2021, in Botswana which is just north of South Africa.
The two positive cases in Australia are currently in isolation in the state’s Special Health Accommodation. Both are fully vaccinated and were deemed asymptomatic, ABC also confirms they arrived in Sydney from Southern Africa on Saturday, November 27. They are reportedly among 14 people who arrived on Qatar Airways QR908, Doha to Sydney, about 7 pm.
The remaining 12 passengers from Southern Africa are currently in 14 days of hotel quarantine, and they are also staying in the Special Health Accommodation. That said, NSW Health also revealed that about 260 passengers and aircrew who were also on the flight have been ordered to isolate for 14 days.
NSW Health has decided to change its advice for international travellers returning to Sydney last Saturday as a precaution to stop the spread of the new Omicron B.1.1.529 variant.
