A positive case for the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, which is spreading across the world, has been identified on Reunion Island, a researcher from the Joint Unit for Infectious Process Research in Tropical Islands (PIMIT) announced on Tuesday.
This would be the first positive case identified in France.
The patient tested positive is “a 53-year-old man” who traveled to Mozambique and “stopped over in South Africa” before coming to Reunion Island, said microbiologist Patrick Mavingui on Reunion la 1ere (Groupe France Television).
Placed in solitary confinement as well as his entourage, "the man suffers from muscle pain and fatigue", declared the scientist.
The PIMIT was mobilized "urgently" Sunday evening, "for the sequencing of six tests," said the microbiologist.
"The results arrived a few hours ago (...) there is a positive case", added the scientist.
The other five samples are negative.
Health authorities at local and national levels were immediately notified, said Patrick Mavingui.
This information comes as the Ministry of Health said in a statement on Sunday that it "monitors with particular attention the overseas territories of Reunion and Mayotte which are in direct or indirect connection with (the seven) countries" of Africa Austral with which air links have been suspended since Friday.
On Sunday, the Minister of Health, Olivier Véran had announced that eight “possible” cases of carriers of the Omicron variant had been detected in France.
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