<Anchor>
Last night, the first patient infected with the Omicron mutation came out from around the world. In South Africa, it has already been confirmed that the omicron mutation has become the dominant species.
Correspondent Kim Do-kyun.
<Reporter>
It has been confirmed that Omicron, a new mutation of Corona 19, has already become the dominant species in South Africa.
The National Institute of Infectious Diseases in South Africa found that 74 percent, or nearly three-quarters, of all corona samples analyzed last month were micronized.
With less than four weeks of detection, Omicron has already become the dominant species.
Due to the highly contagious nature of Omicron, the number of confirmed cases in South Africa has increased exponentially, with 8,561 new confirmed cases yesterday (1st) alone, twice the number of the previous day and four times the previous day.
The spread of the virus around the world is also fast, with the first confirmed cases in Ghana, Nigeria, Norway, Saudi Arabia and Ireland overnight, bringing the number of countries infected with Omicron to at least 28 countries.
In addition, in Europe, there are growing concerns about regional transmission as a series of confirmed patients who have not traveled to southern Africa, where the omicron mutation was first reported, have emerged.
In this situation, countries around the world have stepped up their quarantine measures.
France and Japan are strengthening measures to restrict entry to entry, such as submitting a voice certificate within 24 hours or isolating facilities for a certain period of time, while Italy and Ireland are making it compulsory to wear a mask in public places again.