Egyptian health authorities on Saturday reported the country's first cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, joining nearly 80 other countries that have already detected the strain.

The health ministry noted that three people tested positive among 26 travelers who arrived into the country through Cairo International Airport on Friday.

Omicron was first reported to the World Health Organization on November 24 by South Africa.

It is not yet clear whether Omicron is more transmissible compared to other variants, including Delta.

Researchers in South Africa and around the world are currently conducting studies to better understand many aspects of Omicron.

Egypt, like many other countries globally, continues to be on high alert in efforts to contain further spread of the new COVID-19 variant.

The North African country has so far reported a total 373,500 cases, including 21,277 fatalities.

The country is banking on vaccinations to contain further spread of the virus. Data from the health ministry indicates that more than 52 million doses of vaccine have been administered so far.

(With input from agencies)