Australian state confirms two cases of Omicron coronavirus variant

Two cases of the new Omicron variant have been detected in Australia’s New South Wales, the country’s most populous state.

The state’s health department in a statement on Sunday said two passengers arriving from southern Africa over the weekend had tested positive for the new variant of the novel coronavirus, that causes the Covid-19 disease.

Health officials said both passengers had travelled to Sydney from southern Africa on Saturday.

Both were tested on the evening of the same day, after which results late at night showed both were positive, said officials.

The health officials said both the passengers are fully vaccinated and are asymptomatic. They have been put in isolation at a special health accommodation, according to the statement issued by NSW government.