South Africa announced the discovery of a new strain of the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) virus, Omicron (Omicron) on November 24.
It may be resistant to vaccines and may be more infectious.
It has since been spotted in 17 countries in just 6 days.
On November 30, Overseas Network quoted foreign media statistics as saying that there have been confirmed cases in 17 countries or regions, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa , Spain, United Kingdom, Sweden and Hong Kong.
Mainland China (0 cases) *refers to the cumulative confirmed cases, the same below*
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on November 29 that China had noticed the situation regarding the mutation of the new coronavirus.
He said that since the outbreak of the epidemic, China has always been closely following the changes in the global epidemic situation, taking scientifically necessary epidemic prevention measures for people coming to China, and maintaining dynamic adjustments.
The National Health Commission stated that China's prevention and control strategy of "anti-import from outside, anti-rebound inside" is still effective against the Omicron mutant.
The Institute of Viral Diseases of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention has established a specific nucleic acid detection method for the Omicron mutant strain, and continues to carry out viral genome monitoring for possible imported cases.
The above measures will facilitate timely detection of Omicron mutant strains that may be imported into China
Director of the Bureau of Food and Health Chen Zhaoshi Chen Zhaoshi said that the variant virus omicron mutates more and is more contagious, and the government has to "be more serious than waiting for it. (Photo by Lu Yiming)
Hong Kong (3 cases)
The Secretary for Food and Health, Chen Zhaoshi, said on the 29th that there was one new imported case of Omicron virus in Hong Kong, a total of 3 cases
She emphasized that she did not see any impact on customs clearance.
She said that all areas with cases of Omicron mutant virus strains will be included in the high-risk group A designated areas. The detailed list will be announced later, and virus testing and genetic sequencing will be strengthened.
Sweden (1 case)
The Swedish health department announced on the 29th that an entry from South Africa was infected with the variant virus Omicron.
The local health department pointed out that due to the occurrence of Omicron cases in many European countries, it has long been expected to fall. It also pointed out that since last week, it has tightened immigration measures.
Spain (1 case)
The Spanish health department announced that a 51-year-old man who entered the country from South Africa via Amsterdam was confirmed to be infected with Omicron. This is the country's first case. The patient has mild symptoms.
Pakistan (0 cases)
The entry of flights from Hong Kong and six African countries including South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, and Swatini (formerly known as Swaziland) are prohibited.
United States (0 cases)
U.S. President Biden delivered a speech at the White House after hearing a report from a public health adviser.
He said that no further measures will be taken to shut down economic activities or blockade.
New crown pneumonia epidemic in the Philippines: The picture shows on November 29, 2021, a woman in Quezon City was vaccinated with AstraZeneca and used a cotton ball as a needle to stop the bleeding.
(AP)
United Kingdom (11 cases)
・Community transmission is suspected and the infected person has not been to Africa
. Six cases were detected in Scotland, and two new cases were detected in London. Together with the three cases previously detected in England, there were a total of 11 Omicron cases in the United Kingdom
. 27 days Announced tightening of anti-epidemic measures. All entrants must be tested for the virus
. People must wear masks when entering shops and in transportation
. Announced that non-UK residents from 10 countries in southern Africa are prohibited from entering the country
. The
entry
of British and Irish residents must be approved by the government. Hotel isolation for 10 days
Australia (5 cases)
・Australia's original plan to reopen the border for skilled workers and international students who have been fully vaccinated has been postponed by two weeks.
Australia originally planned to do this on December 1, but it has now been postponed to December 15.
Non-Australian citizens from 9 countries in southern Africa are prohibited from entering, and Australians who have been to these countries in southern Africa are required to quarantine for 14 days.
Canada (2 cases)
"Close customs" to all travelers who have been to 7 countries in southern Africa
Israel (1 case)
The first country in the world to be "closed" by Omicron.
Starting from the 29th, all foreign flights will enter the country temporarily for a period of 14 days
Japan (0 cases)
Customs closure: From the 30th, foreign tourists from all over the world are prohibited from entering the country.
This decision means that Japan’s relaxation of entry restrictions on foreign business travelers, international students, technical intern trainees, etc. on November 8 will be cancelled.
New crown pneumonia epidemic in Germany: The picture shows a doctor in Germany preparing a dose of Fubital vaccine on November 28, 2021.
(AP)
Singapore (0 cases)
・It was announced on the 28th that all passengers, in addition to providing a negative result of viral nucleic acid test within 48 hours, must also do an antigen test at their own expense before entering the country.
・On the same day, it was announced that the opening of the vaccine to Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia has been delayed. Plan of tourist passage
Belgium (1 case)
Customs closure: banning the entry of flights from 7 African countries until the end of 2021
Netherlands (at least 13 cases)
Restrictions on passengers from southern Africa and announcing that the city will be closed in the evening
India (1 case)
Passengers from more than a dozen countries, including South Africa and the United Kingdom and other countries where Omicron is currently tracked, are required to undergo mandatory testing
South Africa's new crown pneumonia epidemic: The picture shows a man walking through a deserted place at the Oliver Tambo International Airport in South Africa on November 29, 2021.
(AP)
Brazil (0 cases)
President Jair Bolsonaro announced on the 26th that six countries in southern Africa will be closed
Upgrade vaccines to deal with Omicron: Pfizer-BioNTech and Modena respectively announced a hundred-day plan. Biden: The United States will not further restrict travel or shut down the economy due to Omicron. Omicron | The first cases in Sweden and Spain are all from South Africa
Portugal (13 cases)
The Portuguese health authorities said that the Belenenses of the Portuguese Super League had a mass infection. Only one player had recently been to South Africa. He suspected that he would infect other professional players after returning to the country.
This may be the first Omicron community infection outside of southern Africa
Portugal has banned flights from Mozambique.
Mozambique is the only country with commercial passenger flights between Portugal and southern Africa.
Other southern African countries are subject to the EU’s "no-flying order", and aircraft can no longer enter Portugal
Germany (2 cases)
The Ministry of Health of Bavaria, Germany announced two Omicron confirmed cases. Two patients entered Germany from Munich Airport on November 24 and are now under quarantine.
The authorities did not clearly explain whether the two arrived in Germany from South Africa