MBABANE: Health Minister Lizzie Nkosi has confirmed COVID-19 Omicron variant cases in the country.
In a press statement issued on Monday afternoon, the Minister said the spike in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks can be attributed to the Omicron variant.
“The variant was found in samples that were taken during the week of 24 to 29 November 2021", reads the statement in part.
When reached for comments, Mayibongwe Masangane, the Secretary General of the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU) said they were not shocked by the new developments but blamed the health system for not providing the necessary technology that was needed for early detection of the variant.
“Due to the fact that we are in close proximity with the South Africa, which is where the variant was initially detected, this was inevitable.What can be noted is that our health care technology is so backward such that we had to rely on South Africa, that's why the variant was not detected early”, said the Secretary General.
But despite the confirmation of the new variant by the Health Minister, King Mswati Incwala ritual ceremony continues at Ludzidzini Palace.
Health Minister Lizzie Nkosi