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Corona in Lower Saxony: First suspected case of the Omikron variant – State Health Office sequenced sample

The Omikron variant is on the rise. There is now the first suspected case in Lower Saxony. The man is a returnee from South Africa.

Lower Saxony – After a stay in South Africa, there is a reasonable suspicion that a man from the Wolfenbüttel district may be infected with the Omikron variant of the coronavirus *. He is currently in isolation. The state of Lower Saxony recently announced this. Laboratory tests at the State Health Office (NLGA) will clarify during the week whether this is the new variant of the virus.

After a stay in South Africa last week, the man developed cold symptoms. Both a rapid antigen test carried out on site and a PCR test analyzed at the State Health Office have confirmed an infection with SarsCov 2. The State Health Office is now using the sequencing method to determine whether this is the omicron variant, which enables the virus DNA to be precisely determined.

The results of this investigation will be available later this week. If the suspicion is confirmed, the result is sent to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), which uses the data to conduct a Germany-wide surveillance of the circulating virus strains.

Corona in Lower Saxony: First suspected case of the Omikron variant – Minister of Health expresses herself

Health Minister Daniela Behrens explains: “The Omikron variant has most likely also arrived in Lower Saxony. First of all, I sincerely wish the person affected a speedy recovery and I am very happy that the disease is comparatively easy at the moment. explained Behrens.

“It is therefore important that we deal with suspected cases very carefully and conscientiously,” said the Minister of Health. Given that Omikron could be even more contagious than the Delta variant, it is vitally important to close the vaccination gap as soon as possible and keep booster vaccinations going. “The significantly increased number of vaccinations in the past few days and weeks show that we are on the right track and that we now have to consistently pursue it.”

Dr. Fabian Feil, President of the Lower Saxony State Health Office (NLGA), explains about the suspected case: “Since returning from South Africa, the person has only had contact at home. All people living in the household are currently in isolation, which is why further infections through contact with the suspected case are extremely unlikely. “

Lower Saxony: First suspected case of the Omikron variant – health service very well positioned

The case shows that the public health service in Lower Saxony is very well positioned and sensitized to act quickly and proactively even in unforeseen situations. Last Friday, South Africa, along with seven other African countries, was classified as a virus variant area by the RKI, which means that nationwide entry rules apply.

In the long run, according to Dr. For Feil, however, it would be practically impossible to prevent the entry of a more contagious virus variant: “Even with the alpha and delta variants, it became clear that more contagious variants of the virus are also spreading across national borders. Should the fears be confirmed that the Omikron line with the scientific name B.1.1.529 is significantly more infectious than the Delta variant, it will also prevail in us in the next few months. It is therefore all the more important: it depends on everyone to get vaccinated, to observe the AHA + L rules and to reduce contacts in order to cope with the pandemic. “

In Hesse there are four other suspected cases of the newly discovered coronavirus variant Omikron. This was confirmed by the Hessian Ministry of Social Affairs on Monday afternoon. The ministry was unable to provide any information about where the persons concerned come from and what state of health they are. The authorities announced that those affected are in quarantine. (Luw) * hna.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.

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