OSLO — Norway has identified its first two cases of the new omicron coronavirus variant, the west coast municipality of Oeygarden and the health ministry said on Wednesday.

AP reported that the two people who were infected had been on a trip to South Africa. Both of them were currently recovering from the infection, Oeygarden mayor Tom Georg Indrevik said in a statement.

The municipality of close to 40,000 people had recently seen a rise in infections of other variants of Covid-19, and would now further tighten its local restrictions to control the outbreak, it said.

Norway on Friday imposed a quarantine on any travellers arriving from South Africa or neighboring countries, following a similar decision by neighboring Denmark and many other countries around the world.

On Tuesday, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere announced new measures to contain the coronavirus, including asking Norwegians to wear face masks in most crowded places and speeding up booster dose vaccinations.

The omicron variant has caused concern as its mutations could potentially reduce the effect of vaccines, though it would take weeks to determine that.

Tags: 2 cases Norway Omicron

Norway detects its first two omicron coronavirus cases

Spain’s Yamal seeking final touch

Croatia coach hits out at VAR after loss

Queiroz rallies Ghana vs Colombia

Endrick backs Brazil versatility vs Norway

Australia’s Bos blazes into spotlight

Argentina brace for Cape Verde clash

Cape Verde targets Argentina shock

Modric’s World Cup era nears end

Egypt’s Salah trains before Australia test

Switzerland stuns Algeria to reach last 16

Mohamed Fahmy

Tarek Lotfy

Norway detects its first two omicron coronavirus cases

Discussion about this post

Gazette Notifications

Welcome Back!

Retrieve your password