Russia reports first cases of Omicron variant of Covid-19

MOSCOW. Dec 6 (Interfax) - The first cases of the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus have been detected in Russia: the variant has been found in the tests of two out of ten citizens under observation who have been diagnosed with Covid-19, the press service for Russian consumer health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor said.

"Two patients whose PCR tests came back positive during the first day of their stay in an observation facility had infection with the Omicron variant confirmed by full genome sequencing performed by Rospotrebnadzor's Central Research Institute for Epidemiology," the press service said.

In all, ten passengers who arrived from South Africa and adjacent countries placed in an observation facility tested positive for Covid-19, it said.

Material "from the other patients is being studied, and Rospotrebnadzor is closely monitoring the situation," the press service said.

Rospotrebnazdor is doing everything necessary to protect the Russian population from the new variant of the novel coronavirus.

"All citizens returning to Russia from South Africa and adjacent countries are tested upon arrival, examined, and taken to observation facilities," the press service said.

While in observation facilities, travelers are given daily PCR tests and are kept under medical observation. Whenever they manifest symptoms or their PCR tests come back positive, they are moved to isolation wards in infectious disease hospitals.