Portugal identifies 13 Omicron cases in Lisbon football squad

Belenenses player had returned to Portugal after international duty in South Africa

Belenenses's nine players pose before the Portuguese league game against Benfica on Saturday night.

Portuguese health authorities say they have identified 13 cases of omicron, the new coronavirus variant believed to be more contagious, among the Belenenses football squad in Portugal.

The Ricardo Jorge National Health Institute said Monday that one of those who tested positive at the Lisbon-based outfit had recently traveled to South Africa, where the omicron variant was first identified.