Omicron Coronavirus Variant Found In The U.S.
A person in California has the nation’s first confirmed case of the new omicron coronavirus variant, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday.
The unidentified individual was a traveler who returned from South Africa to the U.S. on Nov. 22. The case was confirmed by the California and San Francisco departments of public health, the CDC said.
“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,” the CDC said in a statement.
In related news, Mark Meadows, Trump's fourth and final chief of staff, has decided to cooperate with the committee investigating the January 6th insurrection. He has disclosed ongoing contact between the White House and the rioters prior to and during the insurrection, but of note, he reported that Trump had been diagnosed with COVID three days prior to the debate with Biden and met with Gold Star families as well, probably infecting many.
-Pfizer has reported that initial testing indicates that their vaccines are only a little less effective against the Omicron variant than the current ones (90% vs 95%).
-Initial reports from hospital treating the Omicron variant state that, although it is more easily transmitted, it appears that it produces no more than the symptoms of a mild influenza infection. So far, its impact on those with compromised immune systems is unknown,