Saudi Arabia Finds First Case Of Omicron Variant, Brought In From Northern Africa

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JAKARTA - Saudi Arabia confirmed the findings of the first case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in migrants from a northern African country, according to the state news agency SPA, Wednesday, December 1.

Citing a statement from the kingdom's health ministry, authorities have isolated the person and others who came into contact with him.

The finding is the first Omicron case in the Middle East and North Africa. The ministry, according to a Reuters report via Antara, said the person was a Saudi citizen who had just returned from a country in North Africa, without naming the country.

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned Monday that the Omicron variant is likely to spread globally and carries a risk of a very high increase in cases of infection that could have "severe consequences" in some places.

The Saudi ministry urged the public to undergo full vaccination and ordered travelers to adhere to the rules of self-isolation and COVID testing. Omicron was first reported on November 24 in southern Africa, where cases of infection have risen sharply.

The variant then spread to a dozen countries, most of which have imposed travel restrictions. Japan on Monday followed Israel and Morocco is planning to completely close their borders.