Japan Confirms 8 New Omicron Variant Cases

From Jiji Press

December 10 2021

TOKYO – Eight people have been newly found to have the omicron variant of the novel coronavirus in Japan, the government said Friday, with the total number of omicron variant cases reported so far in the country rising to 12.

The new cases were not community-acquired infections. The eight people tested positive for the coronavirus at airport quarantine checks or elsewhere, and subsequent genetic analyses revealed they had been infected with the omicron variant.

Two of the eight people have had close contacts with a Namibian diplomat who was the first to be confirmed with the omicron variant in Japan, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Kihara told a news conference on Friday afternoon.

Worried about the global spread of the newly emerged variant, the government has strengthened border measures. It has banned new entry by foreigners in principle, strengthened the quarantine of entrants from countries where the omicron variant has been detected, and secured facilities to accommodate such entrants.