The White House Just Announced the First Confirmed U.S. Case of the Omicron Variant of COVID-19
WASHINGTON (AP) — An individual in California who were vaccinated towards COVID-19 turned into the primary within the U.S. to have an recognized case of the omicron variant, the White House introduced Wednesday as scientists proceed to review the dangers posed via the brand new virus pressure.
Dr. Anthony Fauci instructed newshounds that the individual was once a traveler who returned from South Africa on Nov. 22 and examined certain on Nov. 29. Fauci stated the individual was once vaccinated however had no longer won a booster shot and was once experiencing “gentle signs.”
The Biden management moved overdue remaining month to limit trip from Southern Africa the place the variant was once first recognized and were standard. Clusters of instances have additionally been recognized in about two dozen different countries.
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“We knew that it was once only a subject of time prior to the primary case of omicron could be detected within the United States,” Fauci stated.
Officials stated that they had contacted everybody who had shut touch with the individual and so they had all examined damaging.
Genomic sequencing was once performed on the University of California, San Francisco and the series was once showed via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is taking steps to tighten U.S. trying out laws for vacationers from out of the country, together with requiring a take a look at for all vacationers inside an afternoon of boarding a flight to the U.S. irrespective of vaccination standing. It was once additionally making an allowance for mandating post-arrival trying out.
Officials stated the ones measures would most effective “purchase time” for the rustic to be informed extra concerning the new variant and to take suitable precautions, however that given its transmissibility its arrival within the U.S. was once inevitable.
Much stays unknown concerning the new variant, together with if it is extra contagious than earlier traces, whether or not it makes other folks extra severely in poor health, and whether or not it could possibly thwart the vaccine. Fauci, the highest U.S. infectious illness professional, stated extra could be recognized concerning the omicron pressure in two to 4 weeks as scientists develop and take a look at lab samples of the virus.
The announcement of the primary U.S. case comes prior to President Joe Biden plans to stipulate his technique on Thursday to battle the virus over the wintry weather. Biden has attempted to quell alarm over the omicron variant, pronouncing it was once a reason for worry however “no longer a reason for panic.”
Biden and public well being officers have grown extra pressing of their pleas for extra Americans to get vaccinated — and for individuals who were vaccinated to get booster photographs to maximise their coverage towards the virus.
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