Peru tracing omicron variant case confirmed by Japan

Peru's Health Minister, Hernando Cevallos, on Wednesday said authorities have not confirmed any cases with the omicron variant of the coronavirus in the country but are tracking the steps of a Peruvian traveller that was confirmed to be positive after he arrived in Japan.

Cevallos said health authorities are still tracing contacts of the person in question in Peru, as well as his flight layovers.

Japan authorities confirmed the omicron variant after the traveller arrived on November 17.

In an earlier briefing by the Pan American Health Organization, officials said two cases of omicron had been detected in the Americas.

Despite Canada and Brazil being the only confirmed countries to have cases with the new variant, PAHO authorities said it is likely to spread in the region.