Two cases of omicron variant among travellers to Gardermoen
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On Tuesday 30th November, the reference laboratory at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) received virus samples from two travellers to Norway from South Africa. Preliminary analyses indicate that both are infected with the omicron variant.
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Go to the home pageBoth arrived by plane at Oslo Airport and have been staying in quarantine hotels at Gardermoen since their arrival. They travelled from South Africa to Norway on two different planes between 26th and 28th November.
Follow-up
Both are in isolation in quarantine hotels and are being followed up by the municipal medical officer. They have only had mild symptoms and have not needed to be admitted to hospital. Their close contacts are being followed up in accordance with current routines in the event of a confirmed or suspected omicron infection. Contact tracing on the relevant flights has been initiated by the contact tracing team at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
“We are waiting for confirmatory sequencing results today, but based on the screening result at the NIPH, the samples are probable cases with omicron. We are in close dialogue with the municipal medical officer in Ullensaker,” says Line Vold, Department Director at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
A third sample that the NIPH was notified about yesterday has not yet arrived at the institute.
NIPH receiving many enquiries and samples to reference laboratory
“This is not unexpected. We are now receiving notification from several municipalities with questions about assistance to assess whether those infected in the municipality may be infected with the omicron variant,” says Line Vold.
The Norwegian Institute of Public Health also receives, in accordance with the routines, a series of positive SARS-CoV-2 samples on a regular basis to clarify whether the samples have the omicron variant.
“Several microbiological laboratories in Norway are now working to clarify possible infection with the omicron variant of the coronavirus and we expect notification of more cases in the coming days. The most important thing now is that those who are infected and their close contacts follow the rules of isolation and quarantine,” says Vold.
Confirmed omicron variant in Øygarden municipality
Earlier today, Øygarden municipality announced that they have also confirmed two infected with the omicron variant
Government has introduced measures in connection with omicron variant
The measures adopted by the government in connection with this particular virus variant are published on the government's website: