Traveler from Namibia is Japan’s first Omicron-infected person
Tokyo, Nov 30 (EFE).- Japan Tuesday said it detected its first case of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus after a traveler from Namibia tested positive for Covid-19.
The man, in his 30s, arrived in Japan on Nov.28. The authorities subjected him to a PCR test conducted on arrival.
Genetic analysis identified the infection to be of the Omicron strain, the Japanese government said.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters that it was the first confirmed Omicron case in the country.
The patient has a fever and is receiving treatment at a hospital in isolation, the spokesperson added.
The detection of the infection showed the effectiveness of the border control measures adopted by Japan against the virus, Matsuno said.
The Japanese authorities were examining the people who might have contacted the infected person, the secretary said.
He did not give more details of the case.
The detection of the first Omicron case in Japan coincided with the entry in force of new border restrictions imposed by the government to prevent the spread of the new virus strain.
Starting Tuesday, Japan banned the entry of all foreign travelers from other countries.
Only Japanese citizens and foreign nationals with resident status who have traveled abroad would be allowed to enter the country.
The new measures reverse the easing of entry restrictions that Japan began three weeks ago to allow business travelers, students, and other people with short and medium-term visas to enter the country. The visas have been suspended again. EFE
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