Japan confirmed its first case of the new Omicron coronavirus variant today, a visitor who recently arrived from Namibia, an official said.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the patient, a man in his 30s, tested positive upon arrival at an airport on Sunday and was isolated and is being treated at a hospital.
A genome analysis confirmed Tuesday that he was infected with the new variant, which was first identified in South Africa.
Japan announced on Monday that it will ban all foreign visitors beginning today as an emergency precaution against the variant.
