Algeria first Arab country to record cases of BA.2 Omicron sub-strain

Algeria has registered its first cases of a sub-strain of the Omicron coronavirus called BA.2 and BA.3, making it the first Arab country to record the mutant.

Despite this, the health system was not under pressure like last year, according to the director general of the Pasteur Institute in Algeria, Faouzi Dar.

"Unlike last year, the health system is not under pressure, although indicators during November and December suggested that the fourth wave would be dangerous due to the delta mutator," he told state-run Radio Algeria.

The BA2 sub-strain has already been registered in a number of European, Asian and African countries, as well as the US.

Drar said the spread of the variant should not be a cause of concern, but called for caution and vigilance, adding that the number BA2 cases will be announced at a later date.

Algeria has stepped up measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 as cases continue to surge in the North African nation.

Most universities have suspended in-person teaching until the beginning of February, an education ministry official told state media on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the country's culture ministry announced museums, cinemas, libraries and other sites would be shut to the public "until the health situation improves".

Coronavirus cases have surged since the beginning of 2021 in Algeria.