The Health Department yesterday detected the first case of the Omicron variant in the Balearic Islands. A woman tested positive at Palma airport on her way back from South Africa, the country where the strain was first identified. The positive test, detected by Foreign Health staff, put the Conselleria on alert and both the passenger and her companion were taken to Son Espases to undergo a specific PCR to confirm whether it was the unknown – and feared – variant. Hours later, the Microbiology Service of the University Hospital received confirmation.
The Swiss woman in her twenties landed in Mallorca at midday from Frankfurt airport, where she had undergone an antigen test, which was negative. She then continued her journey to the island, where she was found to be positive by the Foreign Health staff on arrival.
It is not being treated as a further infection as she started her trip in South Africa, where there is transmission of this variant. Her companion, a Spanish national, tested negative.
Both are residents of Palma and have been vaccinated. The woman has no symptoms and can remain isolated at home, but as Omicron is considered a risk variant, her close contacts must also be quarantined.
“The Regional Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs wants to send a message of calm to the public as the effects of this variant are under investigation, as well as its transmissibility and response to the vaccines administered so far against Covid. The Balearic Islands, in coordination with the other administrations, is actively monitoring all cases detected in the community,” said the department headed by Patricia Gómez in a press release.
Son Espases confirmed the infection after the young woman tested positive in an antigen test when she landed at Son Sant Joan.
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