Omicron variant detected for first time in Sweden

Sweden has confirmed its first case of the Omicron coronavirus variant, the Public Health Agency said on Monday.

The virus was detected in a sample taken just over a week ago from a traveller who had recently been in South Africa, the agency reported.

The person comes from the southern Swedish region of Skane.

The statement said that Omicron, which has been classed as a "variant of concern" by the World Health Organization, was expected to appear in Sweden at some point.