New Covid-19 variant Omicron was recently identified in South Africa and is leading to a new round of travel restrictions just as many had finally begun to ease. Video / AP
Japan confirmed its first case of the new Omicron coronavirus variant today, a visitor who recently arrived from Namibia, an official said.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the patient, a man in his 30s, tested positive upon arrival at an airport on Sunday and was isolated and is beingtreated at a hospital.
A genome analysis confirmed Tuesday that he was infected with the new variant, which was first identified in South Africa.
Japan announced on Monday that it will ban all foreign visitors beginning today as an emergency precaution against the variant.
The World Health Organization warned Monday that the global risk from the omicron variant is "very high" based on the early evidence, saying it could lead to surges with "severe consequences."
