Japan confirms first omicron case

Japan confirmed its first case of the omicron COVID-19 variant on Tuesday, according to The Associated Press. 

The infection was found in a Namibian diplomat in his 30s who recently entered Japan, the AP noted. The diplomat, who tested positive for COVID-19 when he landed at Tokyo’s Narita Airport on Sunday, is receiving care at a hospital. 

Initially, the man had no symptoms. However, he is now showing signs of fever, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shigeyuki Goto said, according to the news service. Japanese health officials reportedly stated that the diplomat had been fully vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine as of July. 

There were 70 passengers on the flight the diplomat took to Japan, two of whom were his family members, reports the AP, which added that they have so far tested negative for COVID-19. 

The family members are self-isolating at Japanese quarantine facilities and are being monitored remotely for symptoms by health officials in Japan, Goto said, according to the AP. 

The 10 crew members aboard the diplomat’s plane did not remain in Japan.

On Monday, Japan banned foreign visitors from entering the nation amid concerns over the new omicron variant, which was first detected in South Africa. The ban went into effect at midnight Monday.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that the restrictions are “temporary, exceptional measures” that are being put in place “for safety’s sake until there is clearer information about the omicron variant.”