Photo Credit NIAID
#16,374
Although the assumption has been - based on the number of other countries reporting Omicron variants - that there were likely cases already in the United States, this afternoon we have official confirmation of a case in California who arrived from a visit to South Africa on Nov 22nd.
There are undoubtedly others we will learn about in the days to come.
Most of the identified cases in travelers we've seen coming from Southern Africa have been described as `mild' - but most of those have also been fully vaccinated - which is required by many countries for international travel.
It will take some time (weeks, probably) to determine the full spectrum of illness this variant produces across a larger, and more diverse, population.
In addition to learning about the impact of the Omicron variant on individual patient outcomes, we will also be watching closely to see if it can successfully compete against the overwhelmingly dominant (99.9%) Delta variant in the U.S. population (see CDC Nowcast).
Today's announcement from the CDC follows:
First Confirmed Case of Omicron Variant Detected in the United States
Media Statement
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, December 1, 2021
Contact: Media Relations
(404) 639-3286
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 (B.1.1.529). The individual was a traveler who returned from South Africa on November 22, 2021. The individual, who was fully vaccinated and had mild symptoms that are improving, is self-quarantining and has been since testing positive. All close contacts have been contacted and have tested negative.
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. This will be the first confirmed case of COVID-19 caused by the Omicron variant detected in the United States.
On November 26, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified a new variant, B.1.1.529, as a Variant of Concern and named it Omicron and on November 30, 2021, the United States also classified it as a Variant of Concern. CDC has been actively monitoring and preparing for this variant, and we 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.
The recent emergence of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) further 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.
For more information on the Omicron variant visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/index.html.
