Omicron Covid-19 Cases Detected in U.K., Australia and Italy

The U.K., Australia and Italy have detected the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, as other nations investigated suspected cases of a strain that health authorities say could be more transmissible and has been driving a jump in infections in South Africa.

The British government tightened restrictions, including imposing new mask mandates and PCR tests for travelers, after identifying the first two cases of the variant in the country, connected to South African travel. The individuals have been told to self-isolate along with their households.