BEIJING — Mainland China reported its first case of the omicron Covid variant on Monday within the metropolis of Tianjin, about two hours’ drive from the capital of Beijing.
The omicron case was present in a traveler from abroad, who confirmed no signs however examined constructive on Thursday, in keeping with Tianjin’s native well being fee. The affected person is in remoted remedy at a hospital, the fee stated.
On Monday, the UK reported the first publicly confirmed demise globally from the omicron variant. The newly recognized variant — first reported in South Africa in late November — is extremely transmissible and closely mutated, and has raised considerations concerning the efficacy of current coronavirus vaccines.
Covid-19 first emerged in mainland China in late 2019. The nation managed the outbreak inside months, however the virus had in the meantime turn out to be a worldwide pandemic.
Mainland China has reported solely pockets of Covid-19 circumstances within the final 18 months, as Beijing pursues a tricky “zero-tolerance” coverage that may imply sudden neighborhood lockdowns or journey restrictions. The newest reemergence of Covid circumstances has been concentrated in Inside Mongolia and the southeastern a part of the nation.
The mainland well being fee reported a complete of 51 domestically confirmed circumstances for Monday, and 25 attributed to vacationers from abroad, with no new deaths.
