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Dutch health officials say the Omicron variant of COVID-19 was detected in the Netherlands as early as November 19, one week before it was reported by South African authorities.
Key points:
- The Omicron variant was detected in samples taken on November 19 and November 23
- Days later, at least 14 people on flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town tested positive
- Contact tracing is under way for 5,000 passengers on flights from southern Africa
That also predates at least 14 people on flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town having tested positive for the variant when they arrived at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport, infected with the new variant on November 26.
According to the National Institute for Public Health (RIVM), the variant was detected in samples taken up to seven days prior to the South African flights.
"We have found the Omicron coronavirus variant in two test samples that were taken on November 19 and November 23," it said.
"It is not clear yet whether these people have visited southern Africa."
RIVM said rapid antigen tests revealed abnormalities in the spike protein, which prompted health officials to investigate if the new variant was involved.
The discovery of Omicron has sparked worries around the world that it could resist vaccinations and prolong the nearly two-year-old COVID-19 pandemic.
Some 61 out of the more than 600 passengers on the South Africa flights tested positive for COVID-19 and went into quarantine after arriving last Friday.
"The Omicron variant was found in 14 of those people," RIVM said.
"Laboratory tests identified several different strains of the Omicron variant.
Dutch authorities are also seeking to contact and test some 5,000 other passengers who have travelled from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia or Zimbabwe.
In the Netherlands, tougher COVID-19 measures came into effect on Sunday to curb record daily infection rates of more than 20,000 and ease pressure on hospitals.
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Reuters