The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed the first case of the Omicron variant detected in the United States.
The Covid-19 case was identified by the California and San Francisco health departments in a person who had traveled to South Africa and returned on Nov. 22, the CDC said in a release.
The California and San Francisco Departments of Public Health have confirmed that a recent case of COVID-19 among an individual in California was caused by the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529).
“The individual was a traveler who returned from South Africa on November 22, 2021,” CDC said in a release. “The individual had mild symptoms that are improving, is self-quarantining and has been since testing positive, ” it added.
According to CDC, all close contacts have been contacted and have tested negative.
On November 26, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified a new variant, B.1.1.529, as a Variant of Concern and named it Omicron and on November 30, 2021, the United States also classified it as a Variant of Concern.
CDC said it has been actively monitoring and preparing for this variant, and it will continue to work diligently with other U.S. and global public health and industry partners to learn more.
Despite the detection of Omicron, Delta remains the predominant strain in the United States, CDC said.
The medical team continues to believe that existing vaccines will provide some level of protection against severe illness from Omicron, and individuals who have gotten boosters have even stronger protection, the White House said in a press statement.
The White House urged all adults to get their booster shots and to get themselves and their kids vaccinated if they haven’t already.
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