Covid-19: Rio de Janeiro city investigates suspected Omicron variant case

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Rio de Janeiro Municipal Health Secretariat (SMS) Surveillance Superintendence is conducting an epidemiological investigation and monitoring the case of a 29-year-old woman who returned from a trip to South Africa on November 21.

According to the SMS, the samples collected from the patient were sent for genetic sequencing to identify the variant of the virus and thus determine if it is the Omicron variant, which emerged in the African country.

“The patient’s contacts are also being monitored, as well as her travel partner, with no other positive cases so far,” the Secretariat added in a statement.

The Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) confirmed that it received the sample sent by the Municipal Health Secretariat. In accordance with the protocol adopted to confirm the results, the foundation will process the material using the RT-PCR technique to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

According to Fiocruz, if positive, and depending on the sample’s viral load, a genetic sequencing procedure may be performed to define its lineage and possible variation. “According to the protocol of the national reference service in respiratory viruses, the result of the test will be forwarded directly to the local and state Health Secretariats, with a deadline of up to 5 days.”

Health care facilities in the city of Rio de Janeiro are busy with patients complaining of Influenza A and Covid-19 symptoms. This causes a backlog of people waiting for Covid-19 tests to determine infection.

In addition, there is also a high demand for Covid-19 and Influenza immunization at vaccination posts. After interrupting the flu vaccination due to a shortage of immunizers, the SMS restarted vaccination on Wednesday, December 1.

In São Paulo, the third case of a patient with the Omicron variant in Brazil was confirmed yesterday. The sample was genetically sequenced by the Adolfo Lutz Institute. The patient is a 29-year-old man who landed at Guarulhos Airport from Ethiopia. Although he had no symptoms, he was tested for Covid-19 on Saturday, November 27, and the result came back positive. The man had been vaccinated with two doses of Pfizer’s immunizer.

In addition to this case, a 41-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman, who came from South Africa, were confirmed positive for the Omicron variant. The confirmation came on Tuesday, November 30, from Adolfo Lutz, after genetic sequencing at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein’s laboratory.

The São Paulo Municipal Health Surveillance reported that the couple was vaccinated in South Africa with the Janssen immunizer.

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