Brazil confirms Latin America's first Omicron cases

Brazil's Sao Paulo state government on Tuesday announced two confirmed cases of the new Omicron variant, the first in Latin America, after travelers from South Africa tested positive.

"The confirmation was made after genetic sequencing," the state government said in a statement.

The passenger arrived at the international airport at Guarulhos in Sao Paulo on 23 November, with a negative coronavirus test.

Two days later, he and his wife returned to the airport for new tests required to take a flight back to South Africa. Both tested positive.

The new Covid-19 variant, which the World Health Organization says poses a "very high" risk, has prompted many countries to shut their borders.