Earlier cases of omicron infection reported in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, the omicron strain of CORONAVIRUS was identified in samples collected before the first known case of infection with this mutation in the country, the National Institute of HEALTH of the Netherlands said.

The researchers found the omicron strain in samples taken on November 19 and 23. it is not yet known whether the people who passed the tests have traveled to South Africa. The Health Institute contacted the authorities of the regions where the infected people live. They will notify the infected and trace their contacts.

It was previously assumed that the first omicron strain was identified in the Netherlands on November 28. According to the Institute of Health, of the 624 passengers who flew in from South Africa, 61 became infected with the coronavirus. In 13 of them, the omicron strain was identified.

British scientists reported the emergence of a new strain last week. According to them, "omicron" has 32 mutations, which can make it more dangerous than the previous, delta variant.