LONDON: Kuwait has detected its first case of the omicron variant of the coronavirus, state news agency KUNA reported on Wednesday. The variant was detected in a European traveler who arrived to Kuwait from an African country where the variant had been detected, KUNA reported, citing a health ministry spokesman. Speaking to KUNA, Dr. Abdullah Al-Sanad said the traveler had received both dosages of the COVID-19 vaccine previously and now he is under institutional quarantine, according to the health protocol. He added that the ministry has taken necessary precautions since several nations announced discovering the new variant. Currently, the pandemic situation in Kuwait is stable, according to Al-Sanad, however, citizens and residents have been advised to take the booster shot to help the ministry curb the spread. Studies have shown that current vaccines are effective against omicron, he stressed. On Wednesday, health authorities recorded 18 recoveries, one death and 33 new coronavirus infections, bringing the cases to a total of 413,588 in Kuwait.