UK confirms two Omicron cases as Europe fears imminent spread

Germany, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands are investigating cases

The first cases of the Omicron coronavirus strain in the UK have been confirmed as suspected incidences of the highly infectious mutation are also feared in a number of countries across Europe.

The variant, which has been seen to spread quickly between people in southern Africa, has led to renewed international travel restrictions.

Germany and the Czech Republic both reported suspected cases, while in the Netherlands further tests are being carried out on 61 people who have Covid and were on a flight from South Africa.

In the UK, two linked cases and their households, one in Chelmsford, Essex, and one in Nottingham, are being retested and told to self-isolate while contact tracing is done.

"We don't know how effective our vaccines will be. But we have good reasons to believe they will provide at least some measure of protection," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.

It is still early days to know how serious the new variant will be but Mr Johnson was hopeful that a combination of testing, tracing and self-isolation, especially for people returning from 10 southern African countries will reduce infections in UK.

"We need to slow down the spread of this variant here in the UK, because measures at the border can only ever minimise and delay the arrival of a new variant rather than stop it all together," he said.

"We will require all contacts of those who test positive with a suspected case of Omicron to self-isolate for 10 days regardless of your vaccination status."

Face masks are again compulsory in shops and public transport, he said.

A Father Christmas figure holds Covid-19-related hygiene instructions for visiting the Christmas market in Hagen, western Germany. AFP

People wait to be vaccinated below Albrechtsburg castle and the cathedral in Meissen, Germany. AP

A pupil at the Petri primary school in Dortmund, western Germany. AFP

A drive-in vaccination centre at Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany. Reuters

Shoppers in face masks at a Christmas market in Frankfurt, Germany. Bloomberg

People in a queue reported to be 700 metres long wait to be vaccinated at the Philharmonic Hall in the northern German city of Hamburg. AFP

A medical worker administers a vaccine to a patient in a dressing room at the Theatre de Verdure vaccination centre in Nice, France. Reuters

Cyclists on a 'coronapiste', a temporary cycle path created during the pandemic in Paris, France. Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo set up about 60 kilometres of new cycling roads to take pressure off public transport during the pandemic. AFP

A healthcare worker administers a vaccine during a vaccination campaign for foreign tourists in Benidorm, Spain. AFP

Visitors have their Covid-19 health passes checked at the Christmas market in Trento, Italy, on its opening weekend. Reuters

Health workers administer booster shots at San Giovanni Addolorata Hospital in Rome, Italy. EPA

The closed Christmas market next to Stephen's Cathedral, which would normally be packed with crowds of people, in Vienna, Austria. The country is under a nationwide lockdown. AFP

An unusually quiet street decorated with Christmas lights in Vienna, Austria. AFP

People queue to receive a vaccine in Vienna, Austria. AP

Police patrol the centre of the northern city of Zwolle, where an emergency order is in force after three nights of unrest in the Netherlands over new Covid-19 measures. AFP

“Late last night I was contacted by the UK health security agency. I was informed that they have detected two cases of this new variant, Omicron, in the United Kingdom. One in Chelmsford, the other in Nottingham,” Health Secretary Sajid Javid said.

“We have moved rapidly, and the individuals are self-isolating while contact tracing is continuing.”

Many EU nations have also, like the UK, US, Japan and Australia, imposed restrictions on travel from southern Africa.

Belgium had the first confirmed case in Europe of the mutation, referred to as a variant of concern by the World Health Organisation, which was first discovered in South Africa.

In Germany, there is one suspected case in Hesse region – a patient who returned from South Africa.

“The Omicron variant has, with strong likelihood, already arrived in Germany,” said Kai Klose, Hesse social affairs minister.

The Czech Republic is examining a suspected case of the variant detected in a person who spent time in Namibia, the National Institute of Public Health said on Saturday.

In the Netherlands, Covid was detected among 61 passengers who arrived at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport on two flights from South Africa on Friday.

Further tests were taking place. The passengers were put into isolation.

The first case in Europe was in Belgium, a woman who returned from Egypt through Turkey.

The WHO said the new type, originally known as B.1.1.529 and subsequently renamed Omicron, was more transmissible than the common Delta strain.