First Case of Omicron Variant Detected within the U.S.

The Omicron variant of the coronavirus has formally reached the United States. This afternoon, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the primary case of the worrying variant, involving a California resident who not too long ago returned from South Africa, the place the variant was first recognized. The affected person was absolutely vaccinated, is reportedly experiencing gentle signs which might be bettering, and has self-isolated.

Late final week, researchers in South Africa reported the existence of the Omicron variant, a model of the SARS-CoV-2 virus with many mutations in comparison with presently dominant strains. The first instances of Omicron found within the nation to this point date again to early November, but it surely’s not clear at this level the place the variant originated. Cases have since been found in 23 nations as of this morning, together with Italy, Japan, and Brazil. And now the U.S. is the newest to hitch the listing.

The U.S. case was first confirmed by the California and San Francisco Departments of Public Health, following genetic sequencing of the affected person’s coronavirus pattern by researchers on the University of California, San Francisco. The CDC then confirmed that this sequence was according to Omicron, the company stated in its statement concerning the case.

According to the CDC, the absolutely vaccinated affected person had returned from a visit to South Africa on November 22. They’re nonetheless testing optimistic for the virus, indicating an ongoing an infection, however are solely experiencing gentle sickness and bettering signs. Close contacts of the affected person have been recognized and examined, with none testing optimistic.

Scientists are involved that Omicron could also be extra transmissible than previous variants, as a result of dozens of related mutations it carries in comparison with the unique SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus first recognized in late 2019. It’s doable that these mutations might enable it to raised evade the immune system of these beforehand vaccinated and contaminated, and/or that it could be inherently higher at transmitting itself from individual to individual. But there stays a lot unknown concerning the dangers posed by Omicron, and it’ll seemingly take weeks on the earliest to know its added potential for hurt. Similarly, it’s not identified but whether or not Omicron is any totally different in its capacity and chance to trigger sickness in comparison with previous strains.

Experts, together with these on the CDC, stay optimistic that Omicron might be managed by the present instruments we’ve developed to include the pandemic.

“The recent emergence of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and general prevention strategies needed to protect against COVID-19,” the CDC stated in its assertion. “Everyone 5 and older should get vaccinated boosters are recommended for everyone 18 years and older.”