Saudi Arabia launches a health probe after first Omicron case in the country

Saudi Arabia has started a health probe after reporting the first positive case of the omicron COVID-19 variant in the country.

The Saudi Kingdom joined more than 21 other nations in recording an omicron infection after a Saudi national who flew in on a passenger plane from a North African country tested positive.

The individual was placed in quarantine, along with a number of other people they had been in contact with, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

“An epidemiological investigation has started, and the case was sent to quarantine, where accredited health procedures were followed,” the SPA report said.

News of the omicron case came as Saudi Arabia lifted a ban on direct travel from India, Egypt, Pakistan, Brazil, Vietnam, and Indonesia although arrivals would need to enter institutional quarantine for five days.

During a press conference, the Saudi Ministry of Health’s spokesman Dr. Mohammed Al-Abd Al-Aly said there was still much to learn about the new variant and warned against spreading false information about it.

“Health experts across the world and the Kingdom are closely monitoring the situation and more research needs to be done to determine its lethality. At this stage, prevention is better than the cure and standard precautions must continue to be practiced,” he added.

Al-Aly underlined the importance of people completing vaccination programs, keeping a check on their health status via the ministry-approved Tawakkalna app, and self-isolating when it’s necessary.

He also recommended that anyone who had gone six months since having their second jab should receive a booster, especially those aged over 65.

To date, more than 47.4 million vaccine doses have been administered in Saudi Arabia.

On Thursday, the Kingdom reported 24 new COVID-19 cases and 27 recoveries. Two deaths were recorded, and 42 patients remained in critical condition.