Omicron could become "dominant variant" in Netherlands: health authority

A Dutch health authority said Tuesday that Omicron could become the "dominant variant" of the coronavirus in the Netherlands.

"Based on reports from other countries, including South Africa and the United Kingdom, it is possible that the Omicron variant will supplant the Delta variant, becoming the dominant variant in the Netherlands," said the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).

In a statement, RIVM confirmed 18 new Omicron cases, in addition to the 18 passengers on flights arriving from South Africa who tested positive on Nov. 26.

The new Omicron cases were the result of further analysis of test samples taken from people who recently tested positive for COVID-19, RIVM said. It expects that the Omicron variant will be detected in more samples over the next few weeks.

Between Nov. 30 and Dec. 7, the RIVM reported a total of 147,982 positive COVID-19 tests, a decrease of five percent compared to the previous week.