The first confirmed U.S. case of the omicron coronavirus variant has been detected in San Francisco, according to multiple reports.
The person – who is fully vaccinated – traveled back to the Bay Area from South Africa on Nov. 22 and tested positive on Monday, Dr. Anthony Fauci said in a briefing at the White House on Wednesday.
"It's just the tip of the iceberg like many of us suspect," said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, UCSF infectious disease physician, told KCBS Radio's Rebecca Corral.
Public health officials are expected to hold a briefing at San Francisco City Hall within the hour.
The omicron variant has been designated a "variant of concern" by the World Health Organization. Speaking on Monday, President Joe Biden said "we're going to see cases of this variant in the United States," but also urged that the variant is "not a cause for panic."
The Biden administration moved last month to restrict travel from Southern Africa where the variant was first identified and is widespread.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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