South Korea confirms first five cases of Omicron variant in contacts of Nigeria returnees

Five individuals with travel history to Nigeria have tested positive for the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus in South Korea.

South Korea on Wednesday confirmed its first five cases of the new omicron coronavirus variant in people linked to arrivals from Nigeria, prompting the government to tighten the country's borders.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Wednesday the cases include a couple who arrived from Nigeria on Nov 24 and a friend who drove them home from the airport. The two other cases were women who also travelled to Nigeria and returned to South Korea on Nov 23.