Saturday, November 27, 2021

U.S. Government Statements On Omicron Variant: CDC, White House & State Department



#16,351

We are now a little over 48 hours since the original announcement by South Africa's NICD of the B.1.1.529 variant - now dubbed VOC Omicron by the WHO (skipping both Nu and Xi) - and while little new information has emerged on the technical front, we are seeing a steady stream of statements, new travel restrictions, and initial risk assessments released by nations around the globe. 

Here in the United States we are in the midst of a long Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, but we have multiple press releases and statements from government officials and agencies (e.g. CDC, The White House, and the State Department).

Despite a dearth of knowledge about the actual threat posed by this new variant, we are seeing quite an aggressive response from public health officials, with none of the `watch and wait' strategy we've seen in the past.  

Some of that is certainly due to the number of mutations reported in this new strain - and the implications that might have for reinfection risks and vaccine effectiveness - but also, I suspect, because Europe is already teetering on disaster, and COVID infection rates here in the United States are rising once again.

Whether Omicron turns out to be a game-changer remains to be seen, but it wouldn't need much of a viral advantage over Delta to hand us a major setback in this pandemic, which could send the global economy reeling once again.  

Granted, the travel restrictions being imposed against a number of African nations by dozens of nations are unlikely to stop the spread of Omicron, but they might slow the spread, giving us more time to analyse the threat, and prepare. 

First the CDC statement, which is mostly an acknowledgement that they are closely watching the situation.
CDC Statement on B.1.1.529 (Omicron variant)
Media Statement

For Immediate Release: Friday, November 26, 2021
Contact: Media Relations
(404) 639-3286

On November 26, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified a new variant, B.1.1.529, as a Variant of Concern and has named it Omicron. No cases of this variant have been identified in the U.S. to date. CDC is following the details of this new variant, first reported to the WHO by South Africa. We are grateful to the South African government and its scientists who have openly communicated with the global scientific community and continue to share information about this variant with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and CDC. We are working with other U.S. and global public health and industry partners to learn more about this variant, as we continue to monitor its path.

CDC is continuously monitoring variants and the U.S. variant surveillance system has reliably detected new variants in this country. We expect Omicron to be identified quickly, if it emerges in the U.S.

We know what it takes to prevent the spread of COVID-19. CDC recommends people follow prevention strategies such as wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high community transmission, washing your hands frequently, and physically distancing from others. CDC also recommends that everyone 5 years and older protect themselves from COVID-19 by getting fully vaccinated. CDC encourages a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose for those who are eligible.

Travelers to the U.S. should continue to follow CDC recommendations for traveling.

CDC will provide updates as more information becomes available.


From Whitehouse.gov: 


NOVEMBER 26, 2021• STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

This morning I was briefed by my chief medical advisor, Dr. Tony Fauci, and the members of our COVID response team, about the Omicron variant, which is spreading through Southern Africa. As a precautionary measure until we have more information, I am ordering additional air travel restrictions from South Africa and seven other countries. These new restrictions will take effect on November 29. As we move forward, we will continue to be guided by what the science and my medical team advises.

For now, I have two important messages for the American people, and one for the world community.

First, for those Americans who are fully vaccinated against severe COVID illness – fortunately, for the vast majority of our adults — the best way to strengthen your protection is to get a booster shot, as soon as you are eligible. Boosters are approved for all adults over 18, six months past their vaccination and are available at 80,000 locations coast-to-coast. They are safe, free, and convenient. Get your booster shot now, so you can have this additional protection during the holiday season.

Second, for those not yet fully vaccinated: get vaccinated today. This includes both children and adults. America is leading the world in vaccinating children ages 5-11, and has been vaccinating teens for many months now – but we need more Americans in all age groups to get this life-saving protection. If you have not gotten vaccinated, or have not taken your children to get vaccinated, now is the time.

Finally, for the world community: the news about this new variant should make clearer than ever why this pandemic will not end until we have global vaccinations. The United States has already donated more vaccines to other countries than every other country combined. It is time for other countries to match America’s speed and generosity.

In addition, I call on the nations gathering next week for the World Trade Organization ministerial meeting to meet the U.S. challenge to waive intellectual property protections for COVID vaccines, so these vaccines can be manufactured globally. I endorsed this position in April; this news today reiterates the importance of moving on this quickly.

Our last stop is a Health Alert posted two hours ago (roughly 0900 GMT) on the U.S. Embassy Website for South Africa. 


Health Alert – U. S. Embassy (Pretoria, South Africa) (November 27)

Location: Southern African Countries

Event: On November 26, the White House announced a travel restriction due to the detection of a variant of the SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in southern Africa. The policy does not apply to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents and certain other categories of travelers. See the text of the announcement here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/11/26/statement-by-president-joe-biden-on-the-omicron-covid-19-variant/.

Additionally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has implemented a 24-hour testing requirement for travelers from South Africa, regardless of vaccination status or citizenship. This means even vaccinated U.S. citizens must test no more than 24 hours prior to travel. The new restrictions and requirements will take effect on November 29. The CDC has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice – Do Not Travel for South Africa. Subsequently, the Department has updated the Travel Advisory for South Africa to a Level 4 – Do Not Travel.

U.S. citizens wishing to depart South Africa currently have multiple options via commercial air and land border crossings. Transportation schedules can change without notice. Please check with airlines/carriers regarding flight cancellations and/or restrictions. The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to have a departure plan that does not include government assistance.

Please see contact information for airlines operating from O.R. Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, and King Shaka International Airport below.
Actions to Take:

Assistance:
United States Embassy to the Republic of South Africa
(Note: The Embassy does not provide consular services.)


Note : The links to the State Department Travel Alert and CDC Travel Notice work, but their contents have not been updated as of this writing to reflect these new travel rules.  Hopefully that will be rectified later today. 


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