The first case of the Omicron variant of the new coronavirus was detected in Argentina, in a citizen of the country who recently traveled to South Africa, the authorities announced on Monday, while the province of Buenos Aires announced that it is introducing a health pass.
The patient is “38 years old”, he had traveled “for business reasons in South Africa” and “returned to Argentina on November 30”, the Ministry of Health explained in a press release that was published early Monday.
This person is fully vaccinated, while he was infected and had symptoms of COVID-19 in March. A PCR test he underwent before returning to his homeland as well as an antigen test he underwent at the airport upon his arrival had negative results.
However, according to the Argentine authorities, although the patient had no symptoms of COVID-19, he decided to be tested again when he was informed that he had contacted people in South Africa who were then positively diagnosed in Omicron.
Sequencing of the genome made it possible to verify that it was indeed infected with the Homicron variant.
After the first case of Omicron in the Latin American country, the Ministry of Health called on citizens to remain vigilant and “strengthened epidemiological surveillance and prevention measures throughout the country.”
About two weeks after the announcement by the South African authorities that a new variant had been identified, Omicron cases have been confirmed in some forty countries in recent days; in Latin America, there are reports of “imported” cases in Brazil, Mexico and Chile.
Amid concerns for Omicron and as summer vacations in the southern hemisphere approach, the province of Buenos Aires – a distinct entity from the capital’s municipality – has a population of 18 million, or about a third of the country’s population. announced yesterday that it introduces a health pass for all citizens aged 13 and over on December 21st.
The pass will be necessary to be able to participate in mass rallies, attend “cultural events, sporting events, religious services indoors”, as well as for public officials who come into contact with the public, said the governor of the province of Axel Kisilov. He explained that the measure was inspired by the experience of European countries, including France.
The capital Buenos Aires, which has a population of 3 million, is not part of the initiative and to date has not announced the introduction of such a pass.
Argentina has recorded more than 116,600 deaths from COVID-19 out of a total of 5.34 million SARS-CoV-2 infections since the outbreak of the pandemic in its territory. Of its population, which reaches 45 million, over 67% have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, while 81% have received at least one dose.
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