US Identifies First Case of Omicron Variant; Patient Was Fully Vaccinated

By The Blaze. The very first case of the newly identified COVID-19 Omicron variant has been detected in California, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Wednesday.

In a news release, the public health agency said the new variant was detected in a fully vaccinated American traveler who returned from South Africa on Nov. 22.

“The individual, who was fully vaccinated and had mild symptoms that are improving, is self-quarantining and has been since testing positive,” the CDC noted, adding, “All close contacts have been contacted and have tested negative.” . . .

During a press briefing, White House chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci told reporters that the individual, who has not been identified, tested positive for the variant on Nov. 29. He had reportedly not received a booster shot.

“The individual is self quarantining and all close contacts have been contacted and all close contacts, thus far, have tested negative,” Fauci added, according to CNBC. “We feel good that this patient not only had mild symptoms but actually the symptoms appear to be improving.” (Read more from “US Identifies First Case of Omicron Variant; Patient Was Fully Vaccinated” HERE)

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First Omicron Case in U.S. Adds to Global Alarm Over Virus Variant

By Reuters. Fears over the impact of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus rose on Thursday after the first case was reported in the United States and the Japanese central bank warned of economic pain as countries respond with tighter containment measures.

The first known U.S. case was a fully vaccinated person in California who returned to the United States from South Africa on Nov. 22 and tested positive seven days later.

President Joe Biden is working on the U.S. strategy for fighting COVID-19 this winter and sources briefed on the matter told Reuters one step will be extending requirements for travelers to wear masks through mid-March. A formal announcement is expected on Thursday, the sources said.

The White House also plans to announce stricter testing rules for international visitors.

Airlines in the United States were told to hand over the names of passengers arriving from parts of southern Africa hit by Omicron, according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention letter seen by Reuters. (Read more from “First Omicron Case in U.S. Adds to Global Alarm Over Virus Variant” HERE)

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