Diplomats from different countries of Europe were brought to Botswana Omicron-strain of coronavirus. This was stated by the President of the state of Mokvetsi Masisi, RIA Novosti reports.
The first cases of infection with the new version of COVID-19, according to the statements of the authorities, were recorded from four foreign citizens who went to the country with a diplomatic mission at the end of November. They left the state in a few days.
“Diplomats arrived from a number of countries – from countries of origin, countries where they work. They drove through some other states to get to Botswana. (…) Some of them were in Europe. Others – in other places “,” said Masisi, stressing that scientists can not yet indicate the source of the appearance of a new strain.
President criticized the prohibitions of some countries to flights and called them a manifestation of “almost imperialist thinking.” He pointed out that such actions are “inhuman, humiliating and unacceptable.”
Strain under the code B.1.1.529, which was assigned the name Omicron, was identified in South Africa on November 11. The country’s Minister said that it is easily transferred to patients who have been vaccinated, however, according to available data, it can be avoided by immunity by other virus options.
At the moment, Omicron strain appeared in more than 20 countries of the world. On December 3, it became known about the infection of a resident of Australia, who was completely vaccinated and did not go beyond the country.