According to the Hessian Minister of Social Affairs, Kai Klose, the new Omikron variant of the corona virus has "very likely" arrived in Germany. The Green politician announced this on Saturday morning on Twitter. Several mutations typical of Omikron were found in a person returning from South Africa. “So there is a high level of suspicion that the person has been isolated at home. The complete sequencing is still pending ”, tweeted the minister responsible for health in Hesse. According to the Ministry in Wiesbaden, the person entered via Frankfurt Airport.
The omicron variant (B.1.1.529), which was first detected in southern Africa, was classified as "worrying" by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The EU health authority ECDC speaks of serious concerns that the variant could significantly reduce the effectiveness of the corona vaccines and increase the risk of reinfections.
The exact effects of the new variant have not yet been determined.
According to the WHO, it may take weeks before there is clarity.
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