Portuguese health authority DGS announced on Monday that Omicron cases have been detected in the team from Lisbon. Defender Thibang Kafue Fett recently returned to his club from South Africa after serving at international level. He played for the national team against Ghana on 14 November. As a club spokesperson said on Monday, all players, coaches and officials are currently in isolation. Some will experience mild symptoms “but nothing serious”.
Before it was known that there were cases of Omicron, a scandal erupted on Saturday due to a particularly high number of coronavirus cases in Belenense. Because the final in the league was played against city rivals Benfica with only nine players, including two goalkeepers, and only six players left after injuries, the game was canceled in the 48th minute when Benfica 7 was -0.
No travel reference in Scottish Affairs
The virus may also have been around for a long time in Scotland. There were six cases found. The regional government said on Monday that cases four and two were likely related – however, with no link to travel to southern Africa.
Therefore, it could be considered the first broadcast within Scotland, said BBC Deputy Prime Minister John Swain. “It certainly presents us with additional challenges in containing the spread.” So far three confirmed cases in Great Britain were discovered in England.
First discovered in Botswana
The fact that cases are now only being found in Europe may also be due to the fact that we only recently knew what to look for: according to scientists, the first signs of the Omicron variant came from the African state of Botswana. At a news conference for the South African Ministry of Health, South African National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NICD) scientist Anne von Gottberg said in Johannesburg on Monday: “Botswana was the first to identify one of the sequences.” South Africa then investigated further.
Botswana’s health ministry stressed in a statement late last week that the first suspected cases involved four foreign diplomats whose nationalities were not disclosed. This could lead to new speculation about the origin of the virus. Scientists suspect omicron mutation may arise in immunodeficient patients – more on this Sci.ORF.at,
Ministry spokeswoman Shirley Mukamambo confirmed to the German press agency on Monday that the quartet tested positive on November 11. Accordingly analysis of the results indicated a new virus variant on 22 November, which was finally announced on 24 November as B1.1.
New version under observation
Statisticians say the peak of the fourth coronavirus wave in Austria could be reached and even higher. The nationwide incidence is now below 1,000 again. What worries experts and politicians is B1.1.529, or Omicron, the latest mutation in the CoV virus.
Hotspot Netherlands
Most other proven cases of the mutation in Europe are a direct result of travel to southern Africa. The number has risen to 14 confirmed cases in the Netherlands: all of them from two planes that arrived from South Africa on Friday. The surge is still possible, with 61 of the total 624 passengers testing positive. There was a stir in the couple who ran away from the Quarantine Hotel. The two wanted to fly to Spain, but were discovered at the last minute by the border police and put back in quarantine.
Cases of the variant have now been reported in several countries. In addition to Great Britain, Portugal and the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany and Italy also reported cases in Europe. Sweden and Spain also reported cases on Monday and a suspected case has emerged in Switzerland. One case has been confirmed in Austria and several suspected cases are being investigated.