Russia reports two cases of Omicron coronavirus variant

Moscow: Russia has confirmed the first two cases of the omicron coronavirus variant in the country in travellers who returned from South Africa, health authorities said Monday.

The Russian public health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, said a total of 10 people who returned from South Africa recently tested positive for COVID-19, but the new variant has only been confirmed in two cases so far, with other samples still being studied for



omicron.

All those returning from South Africa in recent days have been quarantined in observation facilities, according to media reports. All travellers who tested positive for the virus have been hospitalized, Rospotrebnadzor said. It wasn't immediately clear if they were hospitalised as a precaution or because they were seriously ill.

Russia restricted entry for all foreigners travelling from countries in southern Africa.