First cases of ‘worst-ever’ ‘Covid’ variant of the variant, variant, variant, variant, reported in Europe – No the ‘worst ever’ is actually the worse ever lie so far that anyone with a brain cell can see through

“We are currently analyzing two suspicious samples,” Marc Van Ranst, a leading virologist whose laboratory works closely with Belgium’s public health body Sciensano, said on Twitter.

The virologist elaborated on his remark to Reuters, explaining the samples were described as “suspicious” since they were not the Delta variant, which has been dominant in Belgium.

According to local media reports, at least one case of the new strain – the B.1.1.529 variant, which the WHO named ‘Omicron’ on Friday – has been detected in the country. The virus was reportedly found in a young woman who recently traveled to Egypt via Turkey. The patient reportedly had neither been vaccinated nor contracted Covid-19 in the past. If confirmed, the Belgian case is set to become the first one detected in Europe.

Van Ranst confirmed media reports later in the day, revealing the patient returned from Egypt on November 11, developing her first symptoms 11 days later. Earlier, the virologist said the new variant had likely been introduced in Europe already, but to a “very limited” extent.

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