Hotel Omicron in Netherlands: World's biggest cluster of Covid variant cases

Welcome to the ‘Hotel Omicron’ in the Netherlands. Ramada hotel near Amsterdam Airport is home to the world's biggest confirmed cluster of cases of the new Omicron variant.

Dutch authorities transferred them to this hotel after finding 61 people with coronavirus among 624 travellers on two flights from South Africa, where the new strain was first detected.

Fourteen are now confirmed to have the Omicron strain.

This Dutch cluster, along with additional ones confirmed in Germany and the U.K, suggest the new variant already has a strong foothold in Europe.

Also watch: Will we need new vaccines for Omicron? Here's what vaccine makers say

The Dutch cases mark the most widespread incidence of the new strain in Europe found so far, but the variant has been confirmed or is suspected in at least seven other countries.

Germany on Sunday confirmed cases among two people who arrived last week from southern Africa into Munich and one into Frankfurt. More suspected cases are being investigated

Two cases confirmed by the U.K. on Saturday -- plus another on Sunday -- along with two in Denmark, all involved travellers from southern Africa. Austria, Belgium and the Czech Republic have suspected or confirmed cases. Australia, Hong Kong and Israel have identified cases, too.