Greece has detected its first case of the Omicron coronavirus variant in Crete in a citizen who returned from South Africa last month.
The man, who has mild symptoms, and those he has had contact with, have been quarantined, National Organisation for Public Health (EODY) head Theoklis Zaoutis said.
His contacts have tested negative so far, Zaoutis added.
More countries are reporting cases of the variant, which the World Health Organisation says carries a very high global risk of surging cases.
Greece’s vaccination committee has given the green light for children aged five to 11 to be given the COVID-19 vaccine, Health Minister Thanos Plevris said.
Plevris said bookings for this group will open once supply is available.
Greece has also announced a move to make vaccination mandatory for people aged 60 and over.
Source: Reuters
