U.S. confirms nation’s first case of omicron COVID variant in San Francisco

from: MICHAEL BALSAMO and ZEKE MILLER Associated Press, KRON4 employees

Posted: Dec 1, 2021 / 10:48 AM PST
/ Updated: December 1, 2021 / 11:46 am PST

WASHINGTON (AP) – A person vaccinated against COVID-19 in California became the first in the United States to have an identified case of the Omicron variant, the White House said on Wednesday, as scientists continue to investigate the risks of the new virus strain.

Dr. Anthony Fauci told reporters the person was a traveler who returned from South Africa on November 22nd and tested positive on November 29th. Fauci said the person was vaccinated but not given a booster and had “mild symptoms”.

San Francisco health officials will hold a press conference at 11:30 am to keep up with the news about COVID-19 in San Francisco.

“We’re still learning about the Omicron variant, but we’re not back to the beginning with this disease. To the best of our knowledge, our high vaccination rates, high booster intake, and other local health interventions such as masking and testing make San Francisco relatively well placed to deal with COVID-19 and its variants, ”said Dr. Grant Colfax, Director of Health. “We will stay vigilant and vigilant and do what we have to do to protect ourselves. This means getting vaccinated, getting your booster, wearing a mask indoors, and taking the other steps we know to slow the spread. ”

The Biden government decided late last month to restrict travel from southern Africa, where the variant was first identified and widely used. Case clusters have also been identified in around two dozen other countries.

“We knew it was only a matter of time before the first case of Omicron was discovered in the US,” said Fauci.

Officials said they contacted everyone who was in close contact with the person and they all tested negative.

Omicron booster: do we need a shot aimed at the mutated variant?

Genome sequencing was performed at the University of California, San Francisco, and the sequence was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“San Francisco has one of the highest vaccination rates and lowest death rates in the country due to the measures our residents have taken to protect one another since this pandemic began. We knew it was only a matter of time before the Omicron variant was discovered in our city, and our work so far has prepared us to deal with this variant. We continue to encourage everyone to get vaccinated, strengthen themselves and take steps to protect one another, ”said Mayor of London Breed.

CA’s large-scale testing and early detection systems found Omicron’s COVID-19 variant in California. We should assume that it is also in other states.

There is no need to panic – but we should stay vigilant. That means getting vaccinated. Let yourself be strengthened. Wear a mask indoors.

– Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) December 1, 2021

In a joint statement, state and San Francisco health officials said:

“As expected, thanks to California’s extensive testing and early detection systems, the State of California and the San Francisco Department of Health have confirmed a case of the Omicron variant in California. Our partners at the University of California, San Francisco identified this case based on their sequencing skills. California continues to monitor the presence and progress of the variant through robust monitoring of the state’s entire genome sequencing.

We must remain vigilant about this variant, but it is not a cause for panic. To detect and prevent the spread of this new variant, the state of California is increasing the COVID-19 tests at our airports for arrivals from countries identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We know everyone is exhausted and the news of a new variant can be overwhelming. It is important that we collectively focus on the things that we know will prevent the spread of COVID-19 and its variants. Individuals should be (1) vaccinated and boosted; (2) wear your mask indoors; (3) get tested if you have symptoms; and (4) stay home when you are sick.

As we continue to learn more about the Omicron variant and how it affects us all, we will share that information on covid19.ca.gov and cdph.ca.gov. “

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is taking steps to tighten US testing rules for overseas travelers, including requiring all travelers to have a test within one day of boarding a flight to the US, regardless of vaccination status. It also considered ordering tests upon arrival.

Officials said these measures would only “buy the country time” to learn more about the new variant and take appropriate precautions, but given its portability, its arrival in the US is inevitable.

Much is still unknown about the new variant, including whether it is more contagious than previous strains, whether it makes people more ill and whether it can thwart the vaccine. Fauci, the leading U.S. infectious disease expert, said more would be known about the Omicron strain in two to four weeks when scientists grow and test laboratory samples of the virus.

Biden: Omicron variant is cause for concern, don’t panic

The announcement of the first US case comes before President Joe Biden plans to outline his strategy to fight the virus over the winter on Thursday. Biden has tried to suppress the alarm about the Omicron variant, saying it was cause for concern but “not a cause to panic”.

Biden and public health officials have become more urgent in their requests to vaccinate more Americans – and for a booster vaccination for those who have been vaccinated to maximize their protection from the virus.