Denmark's Statens Serum Institut (SSI) on Sunday confirmed that two cases of the Omicron variant strain had been found in travelers from South Africa.

The two cases were previously listed as suspected cases of the new variant.

"We have now completed the whole genome sequencing of the PCR samples from the two travelers and can now confirm that there are two cases of the Omicron virus variant," the SSI said in a statement. "This was to be expected, and our strategy is therefore to continue intensive monitoring of the infection in the country."

The two patients are in isolation and authorities are tracing any close contacts.