COVID-19: NCDC Records Two Cases Of Omicron Variant In Nigeria

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has confirmed the first case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Nigeria.

According to the press release issued by the agency on Wednesday morning, two cases of the variant were discovered through genomic sequencing.

“In line with the routine travel tests required of all international travellers, genomic sequencing at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control through its National Reference Laboratory, Abuja, confirms Nigeria’s first case of the Omicron variant.

“Genomic sequencing of positive cases from routine day-two testing for travellers to Nigeria identified two cases of Omicron variant among travellers from South Africa who arrived in Nigeria last week.

“Retrospective sequencing of previously confirmed cases among travellers to Nigeria also identified the Omicron variant among samples collected in October 2021”.

NCDC however added that the two patients were asymptomatic and contact tracing is ongoing.

It was gathered that the two passengers travelled from South Africa.

Recall that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 was first discovered in Botswana but was first reported by South Africa.

Following the discovery, some countries have placed travel bans on southern African countries and even Nigeria.

The Government of Canada had also stated that it discovered two cases of the variant from two passengers who have travel history from Nigeria. Nigeria has since been added to countries that have been banned from entering Canada.

The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 have, however, stated that it was investigating the issue to discover more details.