The first case of the Covid-19 Omicron variant has been identified in America, the Center for Control and Prevention of US Diseases (CDC) was confirmed today. Coronavirus infection in California was diagnosed as an omicron variant (B.1.1.529) using a genome sequence at the University of California, San Francisco.
Specific case details are still in a short inventory. Individual, without a name by the CDC, “is a traveler who returned from South Africa on November 22, 2021” according to the agency.
Apart from horror stories about Omicron’s potential for larger disorders than the Delta Covid-19 variant, the first case identified seems relatively contained. “Individuals, who are fully vaccinated and have mild symptoms that improve, recover and have been tested positively,” added the CDC. “All close contacts have been contacted and have been negatively tested.”
What is Covid-19 Omicron?
Like the previous Delta, Omicron is only the latest from a series of Covid-19 variants, because the virus mutates and changes. This was first classified as a variant of concern by the World Health Organization (WHO) on November 26, 2021. The US then classified it as a variant of concern on November 30.
When named, and can be recognized for laboratory diagnostics, there are still many about Omicron which is still a mystery for scientists and members of parliament. The first variant was identified by the laboratory in South Africa, although it was not clear whether it came from the country. The old expertise of South Africa in the sequence of the virus – sharpened during the HIV epidemic that was expanded in the country – has made it usually one of the first to show a new coronavirus strain.
However, it is unknown how ferocious – or how most likely the spread – Omicron, compared to other variants. Likewise, it is not clear whether the symptoms and other ways that Covid-19 might be presented will be the same as the previous outbreak. The information will only come because more cases are identified and studied.
Is Omicron more deadly than other Covid-19 variants?
The two biggest questions about Covid-19 Omicron are undoubtedly down to the severity and prevention. For the first, regardless of speculation, it is still not ascertained. It is not known at this point whether the omicron case is more likely to cause serious illness or death than delta or other variants.
As for prevention, vaccination – along with social closure and decline – remain the safest route to avoid infection. Once again, it is not certain how effective the Covid-19 vaccine is currently against Omicron, but efforts to find out that out is already going on. Pfizer-Biontech said that, if the current vaccine was found insufficient, he hoped that the updated version could take up to 100 days to be developed.
“The CDC has actively monitored and prepared this variant, and we will continue to work diligently with other USs and community health partners and global industries to learn more,” the agency said in a statement today. “Despite detecting Omicron, Delta remains the main strain in the United States.”
What happened next?
For now, official suggestions have not changed. “The emergence of the recent Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, booster, and general prevention strategies needed to protect against COVID-19,” CDC emphasized. “All people aged 5 years and over must get a vaccinated reinforcement recommended for everyone 18 years and over.”
Efforts to use the Covid-19 vaccine in the US continue. In the latest figures, more than 197 million people were entirely vaccinated in the United States. More than 41 million has received a booster dose since August 13, 2021.
