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12 December 2021
Identified the first two cases of Omicron variant in Puglia.
The president of the Region, Michele Emiliano, gives the news.
The identification took place in the molecular epidemiology laboratory of the Policlinico di Bari and the confirmation that it was Omicron took place after the complete sequencing of the genome.
These are two women from the province of Bari who had been abroad in the days preceding the diagnosis. They are fine, have mild symptoms, and are in isolation at home. Both - according to what is learned from health sources - were vaccinated, one with a full course, the other with a single dose. All close contacts are in quarantine, as expected, and will be screened in the next few days. More in-depth epidemiological investigations are underway to better understand the origin of the infections.
The virologist: "It must not cause alarm"
"In light of the characteristics of the" Omicron "variant it was expected to arrive also in Puglia, this should not cause alarm because we know that, for now, vaccination protects against severe forms of Covid-19". This was declared by Professor Maria Chironna, virologist and head of the Molecular Epidemiology laboratory at the Bari Polyclinic.
In the next few days, in collaboration with the Zooprophylactic Institute, the isolation of Omicron strains will be attempted to evaluate the neutralizing capacity of the antibodies. "The Policlinico di Bari continues to commit itself to the protection of public health also through the sequencing of the viral genome, essential for the screening of variants", underlines the general director of the Policlinico, Giovanni Migliore.