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The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) has announced the detection of 34 cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the country.
In a tweet to announce the new cases, the NMIMR said the imported cases were detected in 120 samples collected between November 21 and 25.[ads2]
“The Omicron variant was detected in 28% (34 out of 120) of returning traveler samples (collected from 21-25 November) sequenced.
” These are the first imported cases of the variant into Ghana, and we are closely monitoring its potential spread in the local population.”[ads3]
The public has been encouraged to keep adhering to the coronavirus safety protocols.
“We encourage the general public to continue adhering to the COVID-19 prevention protocols,” the NMIMR stated in a tweet.
This comes hours after the Ghana Health Service announced that the country has recorded its first case of the new variant of the devastating disease.
At a press conference to launch the COVID-19 vaccination month on Wednesday, November 1, 2021, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, said the first case was detected in a passenger at the Kotoka International Airport.[ads4]
He however noted that the new variant has not yet entered the community.
“The Omicron variant of the COVID-19 disease has been found at the Kotoka International Airport. The good thing is that in the community test done so far, we have not seen any Omicron within the community of Ghana.
“But the danger is that if someone has the Omicron, and it is incubating, it will not be found at the airport,” Dr Kuma-Aboagye added.
The Omicron variant was first detected by South African Scientists in South Africa.[ads5]