According to the Hessian Minister of Social Affairs, Kai Klose, the new Omikron variant of the coronavirus has “very likely” arrived in Germany. The Green politician announced this on Saturday morning on Twitter.
Several mutations typical of Omikron were found in a person returning from South Africa. “So there is a high level of suspicion that the person has been isolated at home. The complete sequencing is still pending ”, tweeted the minister responsible for health in Hesse. According to the Ministry in Wiesbaden, the person entered via Frankfurt Airport.
The omicron variant (B.1.1.529), which was first detected in southern Africa, was classified as “worrying” by the World Health Organization (WHO). The EU health authority ECDC speaks of serious concerns that the variant could significantly reduce the effectiveness of the corona vaccines and increase the risk of reinfections.
[Lesen Sie auch: Neue Coronavirus-Variante trifft vor allem Südafrikas junge Menschen (T+)]
The exact effects of the new variant have not yet been determined. According to the WHO, it may take weeks until there is clarity.
Hans quickly demands an “Omikron MPK”
In view of the suspected Omikron case in Germany, the Saarland Prime Minister Tobias Hans (CDU) has spoken out in favor of a quick Prime Minister’s Conference. You are again facing a “zero hour in the fight against pandemics,” said Hans after a message from the State Chancellery in Saarbrücken on Saturday. “A national emergency requires all federal states to close ranks, as well as the old and new federal governments.”
Nationwide measures to contain it are needed quickly, bottlenecks in the provision of vaccines must be eliminated with all their might, said Hans – “so that the vaccination turbo can now be ignited from the doctor’s practice to the vaccination centers”. Dentists, veterinarians and pharmacies should also be involved in the vaccination campaign. “You need an Omikron MPK with a managing and a new federal government – every day counts,” said Hans.
The Netherlands are testing 61 flight passengers from South Africa
In the Netherlands, 61 flight passengers from South Africa tested positive for the corona virus. The Dutch health authority GGD announced on Saturday that the tests were carried out on arrival at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. The passengers arrived on two flights from South Africa. In addition to the 61 positive results, there were 531 negative corona tests.
Those who tested positive would be housed in a quarantine hotel near the airport, the authority said. It is now being investigated whether you have been infected with the new Omikron virus variant. (dpa, AFP)
