While countries were “punishing” South Africa for detecting the new Omicron variant by issuing travel bans, countries like Belgium, Germany
London: While countries were “punishing” South Africa for detecting the new Omicron variant by issuing travel bans, European countries like Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands already had the super mutant strain, claim reports. South African health officials alerted the world on November 24 about the existence of the new variant B.1.1.529, with 32 mutations. Two days later the World Health Organisation (WHO) assigned the Greek letter Omicron to the variant and said the new strain may pose a higher risk of reinfection than past mutations of the virus. Genome sequencing and other genetic analysis showed that the B.1.1.529 variant was responsible for all 77 of the virus samples analysed from Gauteng in South Africa, collected between November 12 and 20. However, sample tests in Belgium and Germany now confirm that the variant was present in their countries before November 24, CBS news reported. According to authorities in Belgium, the infected person had previously visited Egypt. “In Belgium, one sample was confirmed as the novel B.
