New York has confirmed 5 circumstances of the Omicron coronavirus variant, its governor mentioned on Thursday, bringing to 5 the variety of U.S. states having detected the variant, with 10 reported infections nationwide.
California, Colorado and Minnesota have discovered circumstances of the coronavirus variant amongst sufferers who had been absolutely vaccinated and developed delicate signs, whereas Hawaii reported a case with an unvaccinated particular person, who had average signs.
Learn extra:
Durham Area detects its 1st confirmed case of Omicron variant
New York Governor Kathy Hochul advised a information convention one of many state’s circumstances concerned a 67-year-old Lengthy Island lady with delicate signs of a headache and cough who had just lately returned from South Africa.
The girl examined unfavourable upon return on Nov. 25 however examined optimistic for the coronavirus on Nov. 30 and her outcomes had been despatched to a lab for additional examination.
She had “some vaccination historical past” but it surely wasn’t but clear if she had obtained one or two doses or a booster shot, Hochul mentioned.
The opposite 4 individuals had been New York Metropolis residents however additional data was not but out there, the governor mentioned.
“No trigger for alarm,” Hochul mentioned. “We don’t have extra data right now however we suspect there will probably be extra circumstances rising, and the very best factor everybody can do is to appreciate we aren’t defenseless towards this variant in any respect, that vaccines, we all know, are going to make sure there’s much less extreme signs.”
The Minnesota affected person is the primary recognized U.S. case of group transmission of the Omicron variant, present in a totally vaccinated man who had just lately traveled to New York Metropolis and attended a convention.
Hawaii on Thursday additionally confirmed a case of group unfold. The contaminated particular person, who had no historical past of journey, had beforehand had COVID-19, the Division of Well being mentioned.
To fight the unfold of Omicron, President Joe Biden on Thursday introduced new testing necessities for worldwide vacationers and promised within the coming weeks that People would have entry to free, fast at-home COVID-19 testing.
Colorado well being officers on Thursday mentioned a girl with the Omicron variant had just lately returned from a visit to southern Africa.
Learn extra:
Journey restrictions and Omicron: What’s altering in Canada, U.S.
California on Wednesday reported the primary U.S. case of the variant in a totally vaccinated traveler who had been in South Africa. The brand new variant was first detected in southern Africa final month.
After figuring out the Minnesota case had a New York connection — the person attended an anime conference at New York Metropolis’s Javits Middle from Nov. 19-21 — well being officers instantly activated the “Check and Hint Corps” to contact convention attendees in an effort to comprise the unfold, New York Metropolis Mayor Invoice de Blasio mentioned.
“We’re conscious of a case of the Omicron variant recognized in Minnesota that’s related to journey to a convention in New York Metropolis, and we must always assume there’s group unfold of the variant in our metropolis,” the mayor mentioned in a press release.
‘MANY MORE CASES TO COME’
Dr. Leana Wen, a public well being professor at George Washington College and former Baltimore well being commissioner, mentioned it was solely a matter of time earlier than extra Omicron circumstances are detected in the US.
The Minnesota case “means that there’s unfold in the US. There will probably be many extra circumstances to return,” Wen mentioned on Twitter.
Scientists are investigating Omicron, which has been labeled as a variant of concern by the World Well being Group, to see whether it is extra transmissible than the Delta variant that’s now prevalent and if it causes extra extreme illness. They’re additionally finding out how properly present vaccines work towards it.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz mentioned the information of the case within the state was “regarding, however it’s not a shock,” including that “We all know that this virus is extremely infectious and strikes rapidly all through the world.”
Walz urged residents to get vaccinated and put on masks indoors. The most effective response to the brand new variant is identical because it’s been all through the pandemic: get a COVID-19 shot, he mentioned.
About 60 per cent of the whole U.S. inhabitants, or 196 million individuals, have been absolutely vaccinated, one of many lowest charges amongst rich nations. Greater than 786,000 individuals have died from COVID-19 in the US, together with 37,000 in November alone.
View hyperlink »