PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsadio, AP) — A day after the first confirmed COVID-19 omicron variant case in the United States was identified — in San Francisco — the CDC says it is now looking into more possible cases of the variant in several states.
CDC officials told state health officials around the country that they were reviewing these potential cases. They did not, however, specify how many potential cases there were — or where they might be popping up.
The CDC said the first confirmed U.S. case was a vaccinated traveler who just got back to San Francisco from South Africa on Nov. 22. That person is in quarantine and recovering from mild symptoms. And according to health officials, close contacts of that patient have tested negative.
A second confirmed case has since been recorded in Minnesota. This person was also fully vaccinated and had recently returned from a trip to New York City. The patient has since recovered.
Scientists still need to figure out if omicron is significantly more dangerous than other variants and how the COVID-19 vaccines now in wide use are likely to hold up against it. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the United States' top infectious-disease expert, says that work has already begun. "Any declaration of what will or will not happen with this variant," Fauci said. "It is too early to say so far."
As of Thursday morning, at least 23 other countries have reported omicron infections since South African authorities first identified the variant a week ago.
Officials say the delta variant is still the predominant strain in the U.S.
Fauci and other medical experts strongly emphasized that Americans should continue to get vaccinated and get their booster shots. The vaccine has been proven to reduce the risk of severe illness and death, and Fauci said it is reasonable to believe it will offer protection against the omicron variant.
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The mild nature of the California person's infection "is a testimony to the importance of the vaccinations," said California Health Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom expressed confidence in the state's efforts to control the virus and said he does not anticipate imposing another stay-at-home order or other shutdown measures.
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In South Africa, new cases of COVID-19 nearly doubled in a single day to almost 8,600, authorities reported Wednesday, and the country's National Institute for Communicable Diseases said omicron has now overtaken the delta variant among samples now being analyzed at the genetic level.
European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it will take two to three weeks before it becomes fully clear what omicron can do to the world.
"We will likely see this scenario play out multiple times across the country in the coming days or weeks," said Scott Becker, CEO of the Association of Public Health Laboratories.
"This particular case shows the system working as it was designed to work — an individual with travel history from South Africa, an astute laboratory and quick prioritization of the specimen for sequencing, and close coordination with public health officials."
Nigeria and Saudi Arabia also reported omicron infections Wednesday, marking the first known cases in West Africa and the Persian Gulf region.
Going further than many other countries in trying to contain the virus, Japan has banned foreign visitors and asked international airlines to stop taking new reservations for all flights arriving in the country until the end of December.
The U.S. is working toward requiring that all air travelers to the country be tested for COVID-19 within a day before boarding their flights, up from the current three days.
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On Wednesday, the World Health Organization warned that blanket travel bans are complicating the sharing of lab samples from South Africa that could help scientists understand the new variant.
At the same time the omicron variant is spreading new fear and uncertainty, the dominant delta variant is still creating havoc, especially in Europe. Many countries there are dealing with a surge in infections and hospitalizations, despite a relatively high vaccination rate of 67% of the European Union's population.
For the first time, von der Leyen said EU nations should consider making vaccinations mandatory. Greece plans to fine people over 60 who don't get the shot. And German Chancellor-designate Olaf Scholz said he will back a proposal to require everyone to get vaccinated.
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