PARIS, (Reuters) – One person tested positive for Omicron virus on La Reunion island in France. Six other people are currently being tested by the government.

Dr. Patrick Mavingui was the official researcher and said that this 53-year-old man had traveled to Mozambique, making a stop in South Africa.

Mavingui stated that the patient returned to La Reunion about two weeks ago and is currently in isolation.

Gabriel Attal Attal, a spokesperson for the French government confirmed that this was true. He told Europe 1 radio that six of his contacts were isolated, with three being from his family and three others from his professional network.

Omicron was first identified in southern Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO), which warned of infection surges from Omicron, raised alarm worldwide. Border closures have cast a shadow on a growing economic recovery.

Attal indicated that eight potential cases of the variant in France are expected to be reported within hours.

Data from France’s Health Ministry showed Monday that France saw its greatest jump in coronavirus-related hospitalizations since spring.

Inpatients with COVID-19 saw a 117-to-1,749 increase in their numbers. This is the largest rise since March/April.