Portugal with 69 cases of Ómicron and possible community circulation
“Up to the data, a total of 69 cases of the Omicron variant have been identified by targeted search for mutations and/or viral genome sequencing”, references the INSA report on the genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2, which causes covid disease. -19.
According to the institute, within the scope of real-time monitoring of the “failure” in the detection of the S gene, which allows the identification of an Ómicron variant, carried out in collaboration with several laboratories, it was possible to gather data for the period from 25 November to 12 from December.
“This analysis points to an increasing trend in the proportion of positive cases with S gene failure since December 6th, reaching a relative frequency of 9.5% by December 12th,” the report said.
According to INSA, this trend, particularly that observed in the last three days, is “strongly indicative of the existence of community circulation of the Ómicron variant in this period, in strong parallel with the scenario observed in other countries” that are using the same approach for surveillance of this variant, the case of Denmark and the United Kingdom.
This new variant, categorized as “worrying” by the World Health Organization (WHO), has been detected in southern Africa, but since South African health authorities raised the alert on 24 November, infections have been reported in more than 60 countries in southern Africa. all continents, including Portugal.
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