Omicron: Guangzhou reports China’s second case of variant
- Man entered the country and repeatedly tested negative for Covid-19 during his 14 days in quarantine before returning positive result
- On Monday, China reported its first imported Omicron case in Tianjin, confirmed to be a Polish teenager
The Guangdong case was identified amid plans in Hong Kong to open its border with the province this month for quarantine-free travel.
Guangzhou authorities said a 67-year-old man entered China on November 27 and repeatedly tested negative for Covid-19 during his 14 days in quarantine.
He flew from Shanghai to Guangzhou on flight CA1837 on December 11 in keeping with “closed loop management”, under which authorities arrange all transport and control quarantine measures to minimise contact between international arrivals and the public when they return home for self-isolation.
The man started home quarantine on December 12, and tested positive for the Omicron strain on December 13.
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He is being treated at Guangzhou Number 8 People’s Hospital and is in a stable condition, according to municipal authorities.