WASHINGTON – A man in California who has been vaccinated against COVID-19 is the first in the United States to have a case of the omicron variant, the White House announced Wednesday as scientists continue to study the risks associated with the new strain of the virus.
Dr. Anthony Fauci told reporters that it was a traveler who returned from South Africa on November 22 and tested positive on November 29. Fauci said the man was vaccinated but did not receive a booster shot and had “mild symptoms.”
Late last month, the Biden administration took action to restrict travel from southern Africa, where the option was first identified and widespread. Case groups have also been identified in about two dozen other countries.
“We knew it was only a matter of time before the first case of an omicron was discovered in the United States,” Fauci said.
He said that the person’s condition is improving and added: “I think what is happening now is another example of why it is important for people to get vaccinated. But also an increase. Promotion is very important. “
Officials said they contacted everyone who had close contact with the person, and they all tested negative.
Genomic sequencing was performed at the University of California, San Francisco, and the sequence has been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is taking steps to tighten US testing rules for overseas travelers, including requiring all travelers to undergo testing within the day after boarding a flight to the US, regardless of vaccination status. He also considered the possibility of mandatory testing after arrival.
Officials said the measures would only “buy time” for the country to learn more about the new option and take appropriate precautions, but given its portability, its arrival in the US was imminent.
Much remains unknown about the new variant, including whether it is more infectious than previous strains, whether it causes more serious illness in humans, and whether it might interfere with vaccine administration. Fauci, a leading US expert on infectious diseases, said more about the omicron strain will be known in two to four weeks, when scientists grow and test laboratory samples of the virus.
The California Department of Public Health has acknowledged that the state has “large-scale testing and early detection systems” in detecting this case.
“We understand that everyone is tired and the news of a new version can be overwhelming. “It is important that we collectively focus on what we know will prevent the spread of COVID-19 and its variants,” the government health authorities said in a statement.
The announcement of the first US case comes before President Joe Biden plans on Thursday to outline his strategy to tackle the virus in the winter. Biden tried to quell concerns about the omicron option, saying it was cause for concern but “not cause for panic.”
Biden and public health officials have become increasingly pushing for more Americans to get vaccinated and those who have been vaccinated to get boosted to maximize their protection against the virus.
