Australia on alert after first probable Omicron community case

A flight crew member stands on an escalator in the international terminal at Sydney Airport, as countries react to the new coronavirus Omicron variant amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Sydney, Australia, November 30, 2021. REUTERS

SYDNEY — Australian authorities said on Tuesday that an international traveler who was most likely infected with the Omicron variant has spent time in the community as officials rushed to track the person’s close contacts and locations visited.

New South Wales (NSW) health officials said initial testing “strongly indicates” the traveler who arrived in Sydney last week before the latest border restrictions has been infected with the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

The fully vaccinated person visited a busy shopping center in Sydney while likely infectious, officials say. All passengers in the person’s flight have been asked to self-isolate for 14 days regardless of their vaccination status.

If confirmed, the total number of cases infected with the new variant in Australia will rise to six. All other cases have been in quarantine and are asymptomatic or displaying very mild symptoms.

READ: COVID-19 Omicron variant spreads: Cases detected in Netherlands, Denmark, Australia

Authorities also said urgent genomic tests have begun to determine whether two other positive cases are infected with the Omicron variant.

The report about the new probable community case comes ahead of a meeting of Australia’s national cabinet – a group of federal and state leaders – on Tuesday to review measures aimed at limiting the spread of the variant.

Australia on Monday delayed the reopening of its international borders by two weeks, less than 36 hours before international students and skilled migrants were to be allowed to re-enter the country.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday said he would urge state leaders to proceed with plans to open internal borders by Christmas.

“We need to make calm decisions. Don’t get spooked by this,” Morrison said during a news conference in Canberra.

Omicron, dubbed a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization, is potentially more contagious than previous variants although there are signs it may be milder than initially feared.

Tough border restrictions and snap lockdowns have helped Australia keep its COVID-19 numbers relatively low, with around 210,000 cases and 2,006 deaths.