New Coronavirus Variant Arrives in the USA

The U.S. Department of Health reported the first case of the new variant of the coronavirus, Omicron, on December 1. It was identified in the state of California. According to reports from CNBC, citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the infected individual, who was fully vaccinated, had recently returned from South Africa.

U.S. Chief Immunologist Anthony Fauci explained, “The patient is in isolation, and those who have been in close contact with them have tested negative... It's good that the patient has mild symptoms, and their condition is improving.”

Furthermore, Fauci stated that the discovery of the Omicron variant in the U.S. emphasizes the need for vaccinations and booster shots. He clarified that previous data suggests, “The booster shot should be effective in preventing at least severe disease in individuals infected with the Omicron variant.” The Omicron variant was identified in November in Southern Africa. Experts believe it poses a threat due to its rapid spread compared to other variants identified during the pandemic, and it contains a large number of mutations, as reported by Interfax.