A Nigerian who returned to Australia after a six-month absence is anticipated to be confirmed as Australia’s seventh Omicron case today.
The confirmation, which will be provided within hours, came after officials issued an urgent warning to all passengers on board a Qatar Airways aircraft.
The aircraft – QR908 from Doha, which landed in Sydney on Thursday – brought the male in his 40s back to Australia, as well as a lady from the Central Coast who had already been verified to be infected with the Covid-19 super strain.
Authorities have established that the fully vaccinated individual was infectious in the community – probably for five or six days – and will be the sixth certified Omicron case in NSW and the seventh in Australia.
The Cabramatta man from Sydney’s south-west had been living in Nigeria for six months before he returned home last Thursday, three days before NSW Health directed travellers from the region to go into isolation.
‘NSW Health can confirm initial testing strongly indicates another overseas traveller, who recently arrived in NSW from southern Africa, has been infected with the Omicron Covid-19 variant of concern,’ a statement read
All passengers were on flight QR908 from Doha to Sydney on November 25 are considered close contacts and have been ordered to get tested and immediately isolate for 14 days, regardless of their vaccination status.
It’s not yet known if the man had been infected on the aircraft or during his travels.
He’s experiencing mild symptoms, according to NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard.
‘The gentleman has been in the community and NSW Health is currently interviewing him,’ he said.
‘The reason he was tested is he does have symptoms. But I understand at this point they’re mild symptoms.’
‘We’re hoping that stays the case. And I thank him for coming forward and being tested.’
NSW recorded 251 Covid cases on Wednesday.