The Omicron variant was first discovered in the canton of Basel-Stadt – in a large-scale trial at a school. A 19-year-old man is affected, according to officials the source of infection is unknown.
The Basel-Stadt health department announced information on the Omicron case that was confirmed last evening: A 19-year-old high school student is affected. The source of infection is unknown and there was no prior travel activity. The student attends the Kirschgarten grammar school in Basel. High school students (fully vaccinated) have mild symptoms.
According to the Department of Health, the Omicron virus was discovered as part of routine testing in schools that is used in Basel-Stadt: the pool in which the student’s sample was found turned out to be positive. In direct depooling in the laboratory with subsequent sequencing, the student’s individual evidence was positive. Several samples are currently being sequenced to identify the Omicron virus at the University Hospital Basel.
About 100 people have to quarantine
During the contagion-relevant period, the student had contact with his class as well as the choir and orchestra with which he had performed the previous week. The contact tracing team went ahead with appropriate measures on Tuesday evening and identified the school management, parents and other personal contact persons of the student. About 100 people have to quarantine for ten days.
At this time, no additional precautionary measures are required for any other class or person who has not had direct contact. Class pools were currently positive every day, but no evidence of Omicron virus was found as of yesterday.
Health department appeals for peace
In this situation it is necessary to remain calm now. The Department of Health will notify you if additional measures are necessary. The Department of Health and Education keeps on asking everyone to take precautions and follow the applicable protective measures. Everyone has also been asked to get tested immediately after showing symptoms.
The Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) said in a tweet yesterday that another case is linked to the current case. Further investigation has not confirmed this: there is no indication of a connection between the two cases, as the health department informed BAG today.
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