Havana, December 8 (RHC)--  Since the appearance of the Omicron variant of the SARS COv2 virus, Cuba has increased epidemiological surveillance measures on international travelers, with emphasis on those coming from countries that have reported cases of this variant.

The Cuban News Agency reported that on November 27, an asymptomatic health collaborator from Mozambique arrived on the island and traveled to Pinar del Río, the province where he resides.

On November 28, he presented fever and sore throat and immediately went to the health area, where he tested positive for an antigen test and was hospitalized,  according to established protocols.

He underwent a  PCR-RT  test on the same day, which was positive for SARS CoV. The sample was sent to the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine, the national center for molecular biology laboratories, for sequencing.

After five days of evolution of the patient in the hospital, an evolutionary PCR-RT was performed, and the patient was discharged asymptomatic.

Today, the sequencing of the positive sample was completed, and the SARS CoV 2 OMICRON variant was confirmed.

As a result of the epidemiological study, 16 extra-home contacts and two intra-home contacts were identified; they are asymptomatic and have tested negative to the PCR tests.

Epidemiological surveillance of contacts, the community, and the reinforcement of international health control measures are being maintained.