The information comes as scientists proceed to check the dangers posed by the brand new pressure of the virus.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — An individual in California has develop into the primary within the U.S. to have an recognized case of the omicron variant of COVID-19.
Gov. Gavin Newsom mentioned {that a} totally vaccinated San Francisco resident between the ages of 18 – 40 contracted the omicron variant after coming back from South Africa. Newsom mentioned he couldn’t give out any extra particular details about the particular person due to privateness legal guidelines.
“We’re not shocked by this, this was predictable. This was predicted,” Newsom mentioned at a press convention Wednesday.
Newsom mentioned 92.1% of Californians 18 and older have obtained at the least one dose of the vaccine. About 5.8 million doses of the booster shot have been administered as of Dec. 1. Dr. Mark Ghaly, Secretary of the California Well being and Human Companies Company, mentioned the particular person with the omicron variant has gentle signs and is enhancing.
“I believe [their improvement] is an affidavit to the significance of the vaccinations,” Ghaly mentioned.
Ghaly mentioned there may be extra analysis that must be accomplished on the omicron variant, together with whether or not it’s extra virulent and whether or not it impacts children greater than earlier strains. On the press convention, Ghaly mentioned people who find themselves eligible, ought to get vaccines and booster pictures now.
“There’s a whole lot of speak about a variant particular increase, that’s being ready. Thank God, we’ve the power with our pharmaceutical companions to develop, quickly, extra therapeutics and vaccines,” Ghaly mentioned. “However we ask Californian’s who’re eligible to get vaccinated and boosted to try this instantly.”
Newsom additionally mentioned the timeline of the particular person coming back from South Africa.
The particular person arrived again within the U.S. on Nov. 22 and developed gentle signs on Nov. 25. The particular person was examined on Nov. 28 and the take a look at got here again constructive on Nov. 29. 24 hours later it was sequenced on the College of California, San Francisco the place it was decided that it was the omicron variant.
Newsom mentioned this time final 12 months, California had a surge in COVID-19 instances and within the subsequent few days, there ought to be extra details about the potential unfold and impacts of Thanksgiving.
“We’re aware of the expertise we had final winter [and] aware of the challenges that we confronted,” Newsom mentioned.
The information comes as scientists proceed to check the dangers posed by the brand new pressure of the virus. In a joint assertion from the California and San Francisco Departments of Public Well being, companions from the College of California, San Francisco recognized the case.
“California is continuous to watch the variant’s presence and progress via the state’s strong Complete Genome Sequencing surveillance,” the assertion reads. “We should stay vigilant in opposition to this variant, however it isn’t a trigger for panic.”
In an effort to higher detect and stop the unfold of the brand new COVID-19 variant, California will enhance testing at airports for “arrivals from nations recognized by the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.”
The Biden administration moved late final month to limit journey from Southern Africa the place the variant was first recognized and had been widespread. Clusters of instances have additionally been recognized in about two dozen different nations.
For Dr. Brad Pollock Affiliate, dean for Public Well being Sciences at UC Davis, the information in regards to the first omicron variant being detected in California was inevitable.
“We don’t know but how briskly it’s going to unfold we’ve some clues that it’s as transmissible because the delta variant was it could a little bit bit extra so ,” Pollock mentioned.
Dr. Pollock mentioned we additionally don’t know what degree of affect the omicron variant can have by way of the vaccine and effectiveness, however it will likely be decided by whether or not there’s a rise within the variety of folks which are being hospitalized, and presumably even dying.
“Each Pfizer and Moderna now are engaged on formulations of a booster dose that may really be programmed for this particular variant in addition to the delta variant,” Dr. Pollock mentioned.
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Dr. Mark Ghaly feedback on 1st case of omicron variant recognized in California | Uncooked
