Andina

Omicron variant: Health Ministry traces contacts of person who arrived in Japan from Peru

Photo: ANDINA/EsSalud

Photo: ANDINA/EsSalud

15:31 | Lima, Dec. 1.

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) has been conducting investigations into the case of the person who was detected with the COVID-19 Omicron variant once he arrived from Peru in Japan on November 17.

Dr. Cesar Munayco —spokesman for Minsa's National Center for Epidemiology, Prevention and Disease Control (CDC)— specified that the tracing of contacts, as well as of the route of this person in Peru, is being carried out.

After noting that so far no autochthonous Omicron variant case has been detected in the country, Munayco clarified that the person who arrived in Japan had also travelled to Brazil and that the CDC is tracing the route to find out where that person became infected.

Last Tuesday, Minsa issued an epidemiological alert to strengthen the organization of health services in the face of the risk of importation of cases of the new variant raising concern: Omicron.

The epidemiological alert is aimed at the Directorates of Integrated Health Networks (Diris), Regional Health Directorates (Diresa), Regional Health Managements (Geresa), Health Services of the Armed Forces and the National Police, the Social Health Insurance System (EsSalud), as well as public and private medical institutions.

According to the latest provision issued by the Peruvian Government, the restriction on entry to Peru of non-resident foreigners from the Republic of South Africa or those who made a stopover in this country in the last 14 calendar days remains in force.

Health Minister Hernando Cevallos pointed out that sector authorities remain attentive to the potential appearance of the Omicron variant Peru. Likewise, the official called on the population to get vaccinated and strengthen prevention measures.

"We reiterate the call on everyone to act responsibly so as to protect ourselves from this variant and so that the holidays do not trigger that situation," Cevallos expressed.

"We are making progress despite the increase in infections because we are preventing mortality thanks to vaccination, but we cannot become overconfident," he added.

In view of the identification of suspected or probable COVID-19 cases, Minsa specifies that health sector entities must trace the record of international travels to the destinations where the variant has been identified such as: South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini (Swaziland), Mozambique, Malawi, Belgium, Hong Kong, Israel, and Canada.

(END) LIT/MVB

Published: 12/1/2021