Coronavirus live updates: Karnataka says sample of SA returnee 'different from Delta'

Spain has detected its first case of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus in a 51-year-old man who arrived from South Africa on Sunday after a layover in Amsterdam, Madrid's regional health authorities said on Monday.

The result will be known after seven days, Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation's (KDMC) epidemic control officer Dr Pratibha Panpatil said.

We express our solidarity with the countries, particularly in Africa, who have so far been affected by the Omicron variant, India said on Monday. "India stands ready to support Africa by supplying Made-in-India vaccines. India has cleared all orders placed so far by COVAX for supplies of Covishield vaccines to African countries. Any new requirements projected either bilaterally or through COVAX will be considered expeditiously. India also stands ready to supply essential life-saving drugs, test kits, gloves, PPE kits and medical equipment such as ventilators, as may be required," read a statement.

The Karnataka health minister on Monday said the sample of one of the two recent South Africa returnees appears "different from the Delta variant", even as experts stressed vaccines remain a critical tool.

Senior government scientist Anthony Fauci said Monday the United States was on "high alert" for the new Covid-19 variant and urged people to get vaccinated after Canada confirmed cases of the new strain.

People infected by Omicron in South Africa are showing very different symptoms to those suffering from the delta strain, said the doctor who alerted government scientists to the possibility of a new variant.