The new Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 can be present in the Republic of Moldova, but laboratory tests for now haven’t detected it, Nicolae Jelamschi, director of the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), stated in a news conference, being quoted by IPN.

By now, the presence of the new variant was confirmed in 110 states, including the neighboring countries. Thirty-eight cases were reported in Romania and six cases in Ukraine.

Nicolae Jelamschi noted the number of cases of COVID-19 is expected to rise in Moldova in mid-January. Moldova cannot avoid the fifth wave of the pandemic as the Moldovans travel in Europe.

Over 375,000 cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in Moldova since the start of the pandemic. Currently, there are almost 4,000 active cases, while 122 patients are in a critical condition in hospital.