November 29

Canada says two cases of the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus have been confirmed in the country's capital, Ottawa.

Canadian officials said on Sunday that the two individuals had recently travelled from the African nation of Nigeria.

The two are said to be the first announced cases of the Omicron variant in North America. The variant was first reported in South Africa.

The White House says US President Joe Biden met his Chief Medical Advisor Anthony Fauci and members of his COVID Response Team on Sunday.

The White House says Fauci told Biden it will take about two more weeks to have more definitive information on the new variant. But he reportedly said he continues to believe existing vaccines are likely to provide a degree of protection against severe cases of COVID.

The White House says Biden will provide an update about the Omicron variant and the US response on Monday.

The United States has announced it will restrict travel from eight southern African nations, including South Africa.

NHK