LOS ANGELES, Dec.2 : (Xinhua): The United States has identified the country’s first confirmed case of the Omicron COVID-19 variant in the state of , health authorities said Wednesday.
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. The individual was a traveler who returned from South Africa on Nov. 22, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a news release.
Officials said that genomic sequencing was conducted at the University of California, San Francisco and the sequence was confirmed at CDC as being consistent with the Omicron variant.
The individual, who was fully vaccinated and had mild symptoms that are improving, is self-quarantining and has since tested positive. All close contacts have been contacted and have tested negative, according to the CDC.
The health agency said the emergence of the variant “emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and general prevention strategies needed to protect against COVID-19. Everyone 5 and older should get vaccinated. Boosters are recommended for everyone 18 years and older.”
The CDC noted that public health officials have been actively monitoring and preparing for the new variant, and 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, said the agency.
South Africa reported the variant to the World Health Organization last week, and the agency labeled Omicron a “variant of concern.” The U.S. government responded last Friday by announcing international travel restrictions for eight southern African countries.
U.S. President Joe Biden said Monday that the variant is “a cause for concern, not a cause for panic.” The Biden administration is reportedly planning stricter testing requirements for all travelers entering the country.
Top officials are considering requiring everyone who enters the country to be tested for COVID-19 the day before their flight and having all travelers be tested again after returning home, regardless of vaccination status, CNN reported. Enditem
