The Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced that the first cases of Omicron variant of COVID-19 have been recorded in the country.
NCDC Director-General, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, stated this in a press statement issued on Wednesday.
The health agency said the three cases of the variant were discovered through genomic sequencing, linking the cases to three passengers from South Africa.
“This genomic surveillance has now identified and confirmed Nigeria’s first cases of the B.1.1.529 SARS-CoV-2 lineage, now known as the Omicron variant,” the statement read.
“Samples obtained for the stipulated day two test for all travelers to Nigeria were positive for this variant in three persons with a history of travel to South Africa.
“These cases were recent arrivals in the country in the past week. Follow up to ensure isolation, linkage to clinical care, contact tracing and other relevant response activities have commenced. Arrangements are also being made to notify country where travel originated according to the provisions of the International Health Regulations
