This was confirmed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday, as per AFP.
“The individual was a traveler who returned from South Africa on 22 November.
“The individual, who was fully vaccinated and had mild symptoms that are improving, is self-quarantining and has been since testing positive. All close contacts have been contacted and have tested negative,” the agency said.
The White House also plans to announce stricter testing rules for international visitors, Reuters adds.
Meanwhile, the Western Cape has seen a spike of new infections in the space of a week, and according to the head of the provincial health department, Dr Keith Cloete, the new Omicron variant is the driving force behind this increase.
Most of the infections have been in the Cape Town metro, with a “111% week-on-week increase”.
“Most sub-districts are starting to see this increase, including the Northern, Southern and Western and Klipfontein sub-districts,” Cloete expressed.
Provincial health authorities are on high alert as the seven-day moving average of new cases reaches 20%, indicating a resurgence of COVID-19 infections, News24 reports.
In a joint media release, it was said that “The Western Cape Government remains prepared to respond to a fourth wave and is closely monitoring its health data to ensure that we have the resources needed to respond to pressures on our platform that may arise.”
“We are lobbying to have the travel bans removed. The World Health Organisation has been clear that this is not the correct response by the international community. The Quarterly Labour Force Survey data released yesterday demonstrates clearly just how badly we need the Tourism and Hospitality sector to create jobs over this peak season,” said Premier Alan Winde.
“I engaged with Consul Generals from our partner countries in Africa last night, during which we agreed that the measures against traveling to our region be lifted & that research be conducted to guide our response to the pandemic. Today, I will further be engaging with the SA Chamber of Commerce UK, where I will again state the devastating impact of these bans and the need to reopen our borders to one another,” Winde adds.
The Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, David Maynier said: “During what has been a very distressing time for those looking to return to their homes abroad, we have been in regular contact with Consul Generals who have also been present at the airport – they have been a huge support bringing calm to the situation and I thank them for their support.”
Picture: Supplied