Brazil confirms the first two cases of Omicron variant in Latin America; both are vaccinated

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The São Paulo State Department of Health confirmed on Tuesday (30) the first two imported cases. The two cases of Omicron (B.1.1.529) are 41-year-old men and 37-year-old women from South Africa.

“The couple was vaccinated since August, the family that received the couple was also vaccinated, this is an important factor,” said the Municipal Health Secretary of São Paulo, Edson Aparecido

Both were positive in PCR exams collected at Einstein’s laboratory installed at the Guarulhos International Airport before traveling to South Africa.

The initial exam (PCR) was done on November 25, and both presented mild symptoms at the time. Before the positive diagnosis, the couple was oriented to remain in home isolation. Both are being monitored by the São Paulo state and municipal authorities and their respective family members.

The genetic sequencing of the case reported to the state surveillance on Sunday (28) is in progress at the Adolfo Lutz Institute. The passenger from Ethiopia had no symptoms and, because he had visited South Africa, he sought testing at Guarulhos airport.

He lives in the homonymous city, where he has been isolated since disembarking and is monitored by the city’s surveillance service.

The responsibility for monitoring at airports lies with Anvisa and, so far, the Federal Government does not require proof of vaccination against Covid-19 from foreign travelers to enter the country.

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