New revelation about Omicron origin

There are now six known cases of the Omicron variant in the country, with five of those in NSW and one in the Northern Territory.The latest is a woman in her 30s who tested positive after arriving in Sydney from South Africa on Saturday and spending several days in the community while infectious.Yesterday, senior government officials revealed they would continue with their current strategy to contain Omicron cases as they arrive and will not move to close borders until further information on the danger of the variant is released.Read on for the latest updates on the Omicron situation. You can find yesterday’s blog here.New revelation about Omicron originNew data has exposed a stunning revelation about the origin of the Omicron Covid-19 strain, as Australia battles six cases of the new variant.On Tuesday, Dutch health authorities revealed the Omicron variant was present in the Netherlands earlier than previously thought, and before South Africa had first reported the new strain of Covid-19.The variant was found in two test samples from November 19 and 23, with one having no travel history, suggesting that the variant was already circulating in the Netherlands, the RIVM public health institute said.The first Omicron cases in the Netherlands were previously believed to have been the cluster of 14 among passengers on two flights from South Africa that arrived in Amsterdam on Friday.The Netherlands now joins other European countries including Belgium and Germany that have reported cases of the new strain before it was officially notified by South Africa to the World Health Organisation on November 24.“We found two additional cases of Omicron variant which have been sampled on the 19th and 23rd of November,” RIVM infectious diseases chief Aura Timen told AFP.“So that points at the presence already of this variant in the Netherlands.”The revelation comes as many countries have already slammed their borders shut to southern Africa, with Australia banning travellers from South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Seychelles, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini and Malawi.- AFPNSW to increase Covid finesThe NSW Government has announced it will increase penalties for noncompliance as it continues to take a precautionary approach to the Omicron variant, which has been detected in five people across the state.In a Tuesday night release, officials said the Government was continuing with its quarantine arrangements for overseas arrivals in line with additional national border security measures by the Australian Government.Returning travellers from hotspot nations must enter hotel quarantine for 14 days, irrespective of their vaccination status.All other overseas travellers must complete a PCR test and isolate for 72 hours at a nominated address or accommodation.“People will only be able to exit isolation at the end of the 72 hour period if they have received a negative result,” the update read. “After exiting isolation people must complete an additional PCR test on day six after arrival and comply with the NSW Health guidelines for recent fully vaccinated arrivals.The NSW Government has increased penalties for noncompliance with the isolation, testing and quarantine requirements to $5,000 for individuals (from $1,000) and $10,000 for corporations (from $5,000).The new changes will be in place from midnight tonight (December 1st).“We are well prepared here in NSW but it is important we take the necessary steps to protect the community and adopt measures that will allow us to learn to live with Covid,” Premier Dominic Perrottet said.“We will continue to make any necessary changes as we receive updated information. Our overriding message, as always, is to continue to get vaccinated. It is still the best way to protect yourself and your family.”Latest Omicron case was out in the communityA fifth Omicron case was confirmed in NSW on Tuesday.The case is a woman in her 30s who touched down in Sydney from South Africa on Saturday, November 25.The woman, who is fully vaccinated, arrived in Sydney on flight QR908 from Doha to Sydney and travelled by private car to the Central Coast. She had been in southern Africa, and is now isolating at home on the Central Coast.She reportedly spent time in a number of venues on the NSW Central Coast before testing positive.NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard told 7 NEWS the woman “has essentially been out in the Central Coast area”.“This particular lady came in before the new arrangements, that is transferring to a health hotel, so she has been out in the community and health is now investigating that,” he said.It brings the total number of Omicron cases nationwide to six.Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed below is a casual contact and must immediately get tested and isolate until a negative result is received.• Coles, Top Ryde Shopping Centre: Friday, November 26, 9.30am to 10.45am• Target Parramatta, Westfield Parramatta: Friday November 26, 10.45am to 11am• H&M Parramatta, Westfield Parramatta: Friday November 26, 11am to 11.15am• The Athlete’s Foot, Westfield Parramatta: Friday November 26, 11.15am to 11.30am• JD Sports, Westfield Parramatta: Friday November 26, 11.15am to 12pm• Rebel Sports, Westfield Parramatta: Friday November 26, 12pm to 12.45pm• IGA, North Wyong: Friday November 26, 6.15pm to 7pm• Pizza Hut, Wyong: Friday November 26, 7pm to 7.15pm• KFC North, Wyong: Friday November 26, 7.15pm to 7.30pm• Woolworths, Wadalba: Friday November 26, 7.30pm to 8.15pm• Aldi, Toukley: Saturday November 27, 4.45pm to 5.45pmAnyone who attended those venue at the times listed is a casual contact who must immediately get tested and isolate until a negative result is received.

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December 01, 2021 at 01:23AM
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There are now six known cases of the Omicron variant in the country, with five of those in NSW and one in the Northern Territory.The latest is a woman in her 30s who tested positive after arriving in Sydney from South Africa on Saturday and spending several days in the community while infectious.Yesterday, senior government officials revealed they would continue with their current strategy to contain Omicron cases as they arrive and will not move to close borders until further information on the danger of the variant is released.Read on for the latest updates on the Omicron situation. You can find yesterday’s blog here.New revelation about Omicron originNew data has exposed a stunning revelation about the origin of the Omicron Covid-19 strain, as Australia battles six cases of the new variant.On Tuesday, Dutch health authorities revealed the Omicron variant was present in the Netherlands earlier than previously thought, and before South Africa had first reported the new strain of Covid-19.The variant was found in two test samples from November 19 and 23, with one having no travel history, suggesting that the variant was already circulating in the Netherlands, the RIVM public health institute said.The first Omicron cases in the Netherlands were previously believed to have been the cluster of 14 among passengers on two flights from South Africa that arrived in Amsterdam on Friday.The Netherlands now joins other European countries including Belgium and Germany that have reported cases of the new strain before it was officially notified by South Africa to the World Health Organisation on November 24.“We found two additional cases of Omicron variant which have been sampled on the 19th and 23rd of November,” RIVM infectious diseases chief Aura Timen told AFP.“So that points at the presence already of this variant in the Netherlands.”The revelation comes as many countries have already slammed their borders shut to southern Africa, with Australia banning travellers from South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Seychelles, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini and Malawi.- AFPNSW to increase Covid finesThe NSW Government has announced it will increase penalties for noncompliance as it continues to take a precautionary approach to the Omicron variant, which has been detected in five people across the state.In a Tuesday night release, officials said the Government was continuing with its quarantine arrangements for overseas arrivals in line with additional national border security measures by the Australian Government.Returning travellers from hotspot nations must enter hotel quarantine for 14 days, irrespective of their vaccination status.All other overseas travellers must complete a PCR test and isolate for 72 hours at a nominated address or accommodation.“People will only be able to exit isolation at the end of the 72 hour period if they have received a negative result,” the update read. “After exiting isolation people must complete an additional PCR test on day six after arrival and comply with the NSW Health guidelines for recent fully vaccinated arrivals.The NSW Government has increased penalties for noncompliance with the isolation, testing and quarantine requirements to $5,000 for individuals (from $1,000) and $10,000 for corporations (from $5,000).The new changes will be in place from midnight tonight (December 1st).“We are well prepared here in NSW but it is important we take the necessary steps to protect the community and adopt measures that will allow us to learn to live with Covid,” Premier Dominic Perrottet said.“We will continue to make any necessary changes as we receive updated information. Our overriding message, as always, is to continue to get vaccinated. It is still the best way to protect yourself and your family.”Latest Omicron case was out in the communityA fifth Omicron case was confirmed in NSW on Tuesday.The case is a woman in her 30s who touched down in Sydney from South Africa on Saturday, November 25.The woman, who is fully vaccinated, arrived in Sydney on flight QR908 from Doha to Sydney and travelled by private car to the Central Coast. She had been in southern Africa, and is now isolating at home on the Central Coast.She reportedly spent time in a number of venues on the NSW Central Coast before testing positive.NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard told 7 NEWS the woman “has essentially been out in the Central Coast area”.“This particular lady came in before the new arrangements, that is transferring to a health hotel, so she has been out in the community and health is now investigating that,” he said.It brings the total number of Omicron cases nationwide to six.Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed below is a casual contact and must immediately get tested and isolate until a negative result is received.• Coles, Top Ryde Shopping Centre: Friday, November 26, 9.30am to 10.45am• Target Parramatta, Westfield Parramatta: Friday November 26, 10.45am to 11am• H&M Parramatta, Westfield Parramatta: Friday November 26, 11am to 11.15am• The Athlete’s Foot, Westfield Parramatta: Friday November 26, 11.15am to 11.30am• JD Sports, Westfield Parramatta: Friday November 26, 11.15am to 12pm• Rebel Sports, Westfield Parramatta: Friday November 26, 12pm to 12.45pm• IGA, North Wyong: Friday November 26, 6.15pm to 7pm• Pizza Hut, Wyong: Friday November 26, 7pm to 7.15pm• KFC North, Wyong: Friday November 26, 7.15pm to 7.30pm• Woolworths, Wadalba: Friday November 26, 7.30pm to 8.15pm• Aldi, Toukley: Saturday November 27, 4.45pm to 5.45pmAnyone who attended those venue at the times listed is a casual contact who must immediately get tested and isolate until a negative result is received.