Brazil on alert – Third case of Omicron variant detected

Brazil today announced a third case of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, calling into question plans to ease holiday restrictions following a reduction in infection rates.

The third case, an asymptomatic 29-year-old, was diagnosed positive at Sao Paulo International Airport, after arriving from Ethiopia, became known by the state Ministry of Health.

Yesterday, two Brazilian missionaries in South Africa were diagnosed with the variant at the same airport, the first cases of Omicron recorded in Latin America.

Sao Paulo health officials said today that all three carriers of the new variant had been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, although it was unclear exactly when they were vaccinated.

The state government said it would reconsider plans to relax the rules of use of the mask, in the face of the presence of the new variant in the state.

State Health Minister Jean Gorinchein has urged millions of Brazilians who have received only the first dose of the vaccine to complete their vaccinations to slow the spread of the virus.

Source: AMPE