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Saudi Arabia confirms first case of Omicron variant

The detection of Omicron in Saudi Arabia comes days after the kingdom suspended flights to 14 African countries.
FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia has identified an individual infected with the Omicron COVID-19 variant, marking the Gulf region’s first reported case of the potentially more contagious coronavirus strain. 

The state-run SPA news agency quoted a Saudi Health Ministry source as saying the case was detected in a "citizen arriving back from a North African country." The individual is in quarantine and an epidemiological investigation is underway, SPA reported. 

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