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“This individual did what we hope different folks would do, they bought off and as quickly as they grew to become symptomatic they went and bought examined and it was constructive,” Fauci added.
The California case is the primary detected within the U.S. Biden administration well being officers are at the moment reviewing a number of different potential Omicron instances, three folks with data of the matter stated. In a name with state officers Wednesday, the CDC acknowledged that it was taking a look at further potential instances however didn’t point out what number of, in accordance with a person on the decision who spoke to POLITICO. The CDC is about to concern new investigation tips to state well being departments within the coming days that may embrace suggestions for contact tracing and reporting.
Dozens of Omicron instances have been reported in Europe, Asia and Africa. The preliminary Omicron case was detected in South Africa on Nov. 24. President Joe Biden has since shut down journey from seven nations in southern Africa, together with South Africa, the place the virus is spreading.
Though the Omicron variant was first detected by scientists in Africa, it’s nonetheless unclear the place and when the variant first emerged.
Officers within the Netherlands stated this week that they detected two instances of the Omicron variant in take a look at samples taken on Nov. 19 and Nov. 23 — earlier than two flights from South Africa landed within the nation final week. Dozens of passengers on each of these flights have examined constructive.
Greater than 80,000 instances of Covid-19 are being detected within the U.S. per day, in accordance with CDC knowledge. The overwhelming majority of instances are the Delta variant, which continues to be the predominant pressure within the nation. The CDC stated the College of California, San Francisco accomplished the genomic sequencing that helped with the detection of the case in query.
“We’re nonetheless studying concerning the Omicron variant, however we’re not again to sq. one with this illness,” stated Grant Colfax, director of well being in San Francisco. “From what we all know now, San Francisco is comparatively properly positioned to deal with Covid-19 and its variants due to our excessive vaccination charges, our excessive booster uptake, and different native well being measures corresponding to masking and testing.” Metropolis officers stated they won’t be altering any well being orders or imposing new restrictions.
Scientists internationally are nonetheless finding out the Omicron variant, together with how properly it evades vaccines and if it causes extreme illness. Prime Biden well being officers, together with Fauci, have warned it may take a number of extra weeks till the impression on each the vaccinated and unvaccinated populations is thought. Within the meantime, the Biden administration is urging Individuals to enroll in Covid booster pictures.
“The President’s medical staff continues to consider that present vaccines will present some degree of safety towards extreme sickness from Omicron, and people who’ve gotten boosters have even stronger safety,” stated Jeff Zients, coordinator of the White Home Covid-19 process power, in an announcement Wednesday.
Given the unfold of Omicron and Delta, in addition to the chance of future variants, Biden critics like Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida have predicted that the federal authorities will begin requiring boosters to be a part of the administration’s vaccine mandate, which is being challenged in courtroom.
Fauci declined Wednesday to say if the booster would change into a part of a future vaccine mandate
“I am unable to reply that proper now,” he informed a reporter. “In the intervening time, the official definition of totally vaccinated is 2 [shots] … It may change.”
Requested if he would suggest that change, Fauci once more demurred and stated he shouldn’t speculate.
“Properly, I don’t know,” he stated. “Let’s see what rolls out now.”
Marc Caputo and Victoria Colliver contributed to this report.
