Botswana, First to Discover Omicron, Urges "Do Not Treat Us as the Origin"

The First Confirmed Case Is a Diplomat from a Foreign Country

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Botswana, where the new COVID-19 variant Omicron was first discovered, claimed that the first confirmed cases were diplomats from other countries.

According to AFP and other sources, Edwin Dikoloti, Botswana's Minister of Health, held a press conference on the 28th (local time) and stated, "The first Omicron infection cases were four diplomats who entered Botswana for diplomatic duties."

These four individuals had completed their vaccinations. They entered the country on the 7th, tested positive on the 11th, and on the 24th, genome sequencing confirmed Omicron infection.

However, Minister Dikoloti did not disclose which countries these diplomats represented, citing the potential for political and diplomatic controversy.

He said, "Some media outlets call the Omicron variant the 'Botswana variant,' and although we discovered this variant, we have been treated as the origin."

As of this day, a total of 19 Omicron variant infections have been confirmed in Botswana. Most of these cases are among arrivals from overseas.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.