Biden briefly introduced by COVID team as omicron variant spreads in Australia and Europe: Coronavirus update: NPR
President Biden speaks to the media as he arrives at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Sunday after returning from Nantucket, Mass, after spending the Thanksgiving break there.
Carolyn Kaster / AP
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Carolyn Kaster / AP
President Biden speaks to the media as he arrives at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Sunday after returning from Nantucket, Mass, after spending the Thanksgiving break there.
Carolyn Kaster / AP
As more cases of the omicron variant were revealed around the world, President Biden was reported on Sunday by his COVID-19 response team, including his chief medical adviser, Dr. .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not announced any cases of the omicron variant in the United States, but Fauci said Sunday that it is inevitable that there will be confirmed cases at some point.
Variants have been identified in cases in Botswana, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Israel, Netherlands, Australia and Hong Kong.
Scientists are uncertain about the origin of this variant, but the virus’s mutations were first identified by scientists in South Africa, and the World Health Organization considers it a “remarkable variant.” concern” on Friday, due to its rapid spread.
More cases have been revealed in Europe and Australia
On Saturday, the Netherlands identified 13 variant cases and Australia confirmed two, marking an even wider spread to other parts of the world.
The cases in Netherlands came from passengers on a return flight from South Africa, where 61 of the passengers on board tested positive for COVID-19. Two cases in Australia from passengers arriving from southern Africa, but did not specify which country they were returning from or which countries.
Countries that close their borders with the countries of South Africa
The United States, United Kingdom, Israel, and the European Union have announced that they have restricted travel from South Africa and several other countries in the region, although the World Health Organization has warned about impose travel bans at this time.
Other countries, including New Zealand, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Saudi Arabia have also implemented travel restrictions.
On Saturday, the UK announced closer tourism measures for all visitors. Now, PCR testing is required for anyone arriving in the country late on the second day of arrival. Anyone in close contact with someone who tests positive for the omicron variant must self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of vaccination status. Germany also announced new measures that anyone arriving from South Africa will have to quarantine for 14 days.
