USA TODAY International Edition
Omicron variant detected in California
SAN FRANCISCO – The first known case of the omicron variant of the coronavirus has been detected in the USA days after its rapid spread in South Africa prompted worldwide concern.
The California and San Francisco Departments of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that a case of COVID- 19 in the city was caused by omicron. The person infected was a traveler who returned from South Africa on Nov. 22 and was fully vaccinated. Genome sequencing conducted at the
University of California, San Francisco confirmed the variant.
“We knew that it was just a matter of time,” presidential health adviser Anthony Fauci said at a White House news briefing.
Dr. Grant Colfax, director of San Francisco’s Department of Public Health, said at a news conference that the infected person had mild symptoms and recovered. The individual had the full Moderna vaccine regimen but not the booster shot, he said. Close contacts were notified and tested negative for the virus.
Echoing President Joe Biden’s comments Monday, Colfax said omicron is a source of concern but not a reason to panic, even though he believes omicron is most likely more infectious than the delta variant. The severity of illness omicron causes and its ability to elude vaccine- induced protection remain unknown, but Colfax said the experts he has consulted believe vaccination remains a critical element of the fight against the variant.
“So our message is the same as it was yesterday,” he said. “To best protect against this variant, get vaccinated for goodness sakes if you have not been vaccinated. Get your booster if you’re eligible. Continue to wear those masks inside where required.”
About 37% of the eligible U. S. population, including 29% of adults, are not fully vaccinated.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which increased surveillance at four international airports – JFK in New York and Newark in New Jersey, as well as those in San Francisco and Atlanta – said it had been preparing for the arrival of omicron and pointed out the delta variant remains the dominant strain in the country.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a tweet that it should be assumed the variant has found its way elsewhere in the USA as well.
Fauci applauded the Biden administration’s move to restrict travel from eight African countries, including South Africa, in an effort to slow the variant’s spread. The CDC and the U. S. Department of State raised their alert levels for the region, each recommending against travel. Cases have been reported in travelers in Belgium, Israel, Hong Kong and the U. K. Germany, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic have suspected cases, among at least 20 countries to report them.