The new coronavirus variant omicron has been confirmed in Sweden in a traveler who recently stayed in southern Africa, according to the Public Health Agency.
”"We have increased monitoring and awareness of this, but it is too early to say what it means," says Anders Bråve at the authority.
The variant was detected in a sample taken a little more than a week ago from a person living in Skåne.
”"It shows that the surveillance we have in place is working. The case was picked up in the normal surveillance program where we sequence a proportion of the usual domestic infections, but where all travelers coming from the area should be sequenced," says Anders Bråve, acting head of the department for microbiology at the authority to TT.
Karin Tegmark Wisell, Director General of the Swedish Public Health Agency, says according to a press release:
”"It was expected that we would also find the variant in Sweden because it has been discovered in several other countries in Europe. The information we have about the variant means that we should take it very seriously until we have more knowledge.".
The new variant of Covid-19, omicron, was discovered in South Africa last week.
Bråve cannot say whether the person in question was vaccinated or not, citing that they do not comment on details in individual cases.
TT: How worried should we be about this?
”"In general, we know very little about this variant at the moment. It has only been a few days since it was identified," says Bråve and continues:
”"We don't have many detailed reports from South Africa yet. Of course, we have to constantly monitor developments and adapt measures as this develops."”
He cannot say how many suspected cases are being investigated.
”"It's incredibly volatile matter. I don't have a number I can give you," says Bråve.
There is currently nothing to suggest that the measures that are in place or have been in place previously during the pandemic will not also have an effect on omicron, the Public Health Agency writes in the press release.
”"Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 variants to detect the possible presence of omicron even among non-travelers has been intensified. Currently, all positive samples after travel abroad and approximately 40 percent of all samples from people infected with COVID-19 in Sweden are sequenced. Sequencing to map and identify new variants is carried out if necessary even during weekends," it says.
Two people in the Jönköping region, who recently returned from a trip to South Africa, have also fallen ill, reports Dagens Nyheter. However, they have not been found to be carrying omicron.
The matter is now being investigated by the Public Health Agency's laboratory, where the samples have been sent.
”"Just as usual, they have been told to stay home. There are actually no other rules, but we are keeping an extra eye on the fact that the infection tracing is carried out carefully," says Malin Bengnér, infectious disease physician in Jönköping, to DN.
Omikron is feared to be a potentially more contagious variant of Covid-19.
Source: TT
