The California and San Francisco Departments of Public Health have confirmed that a recent case of COVID-19 among an individual in California was caused by the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529). The individual was a traveler who returned from South Africa on November 22. 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.
Genomic sequencing was conducted at the University of California, San Francisco and the sequence was confirmed at CDC as being consistent with the Omicron variant. This will be the first confirmed case of COVID-19 caused by the Omicron variant detected in the United States.
On November 26, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified a new variant, B.1.1.529, as a Variant of Concern and named it Omicron and on November 30, 2021, the United States also classified it as a Variant of Concern. CDC has been actively monitoring and preparing for this variant, and we will continue to work diligently with other U.S. and global public health and industry partners to learn more. Despite the detection of Omicron, Delta remains the predominant strain in the United States.
The recent emergence of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and general prevention strategies needed to protect against COVID-19. Everyone 5 and older should get vaccinated boosters are recommended for everyone 18 years and older.
For more information on the Omicron variant visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/index.html.
In other words – It’s the Vaccinated who are spreading new variants all over the world…
Please Stop posting deep state cia communist propaganda
Oy vey! As soon as medical experts deem it worthwhile to stop indoor gatherings such as minyanim and Yeshivos like coumos Smart policies, they should do necessary. If they think this time around it won’t save any lives then they shouldn’t.
They are saying it is mild. This is actually good news. If many people get the mild virus this will speed up herd immunity. And the vaccination line in the article is just ridiculous because it clearly does not work anymore and certainly not against this variant.
PS – There will always be more variants because viruses mutate
In other words, we should take a vaccine that was manufactured for the original COVID-19 virus to prevent contagion from a different virus, the Delta and Omnicorn variant? Does anyone see something wrong? Perhaps the flu shot suffices for the Delta as well?
Stevenn- since when do medical experts decide Halacha? we have Gedolim and Rabonim that make these decisions. Consult your local Rav for all shul and Torah related decisions. Do not ask medical experts to meddle into these affairs. very dangerous statement.
Quick! Batten down the hatches! Now is the time to double check your end of the world food supplies! Start masking up your babies! Better yet- is there a way we can mask up fetuses while still in the womb?