The First confirmed case of the omicron coronavirus variant in the United States it was found in a person in California, the federal agency of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Wednesday. “The individual was a traveler who returned from South Africa on November 22, 2021, “said the instance in a statement.” The person, who was fully vaccinated and had mild symptoms that are improving, is in quarantine, “he added.
His case was detected by the California and San Francisco Departments of Public Health and confirmed by the CDC. The omicron variant was first identified in South Africa a week ago and has been designated as a variant of concern by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Scientists do not yet have hard data, but based on the pattern of mutations of the new strain they hope that it at least partially circumvents the protective action of current vaccines and that it may be more transmissible than delta, the current dominant global strain.
The United States is envisaging stricter testing and quarantine requirements for international travelers arriving in the country, including conducting a diagnostic test for COVID-19 the day before departure, the CDC said Wednesday. Imposing mandatory diagnostic tests upon arrival, and even mandatory quarantine, is also under consideration, regardless of the test result, the Washington Post reported.
In this regard, Anthony Stephen Fauci, American physician specializing in immunology and chief medical adviser to the president of the United States, assured that the authorities have activated the maximum security protocols and they will track the contacts the infected person had.
It will soon circulate in Latin America
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) estimated that the new variant omicron coronavirus may be “soon” circulating in Latin America, after identifying only imported cases in three countries of the continent. Brazil, Canada and the United States have already reported cases in recent days, all from people from Africa. “It is likely that other countries will soon begin to see this new variant in circulation,” PAHO Director Carissa Etienne said at a press conference.
“That is why it is important for countries to redouble their surveillance efforts, share sequences with the Genomic Surveillance Network of the Americas and report any omicron cases to the WHO, “he added.” Speed and transparency are especially crucial at this time, “he said. Omicron, first reported by South Africa on November 24, was declared on Friday “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization (WHO).
PAHO said community transmission of omicron has not been demonstrated in the Americas, where delta remains the predominant variant. Brazil is currently the only country in Latin America to report cases of the new strain. On Wednesday, it confirmed a third contagion in a traveler from Ethiopia, after the first two reported on Tuesday in people from South Africa who disembarked in Brazil on November 23.
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With information from AFP / msb
