COVID-19 Update

WaPo: (freebie)

The first U.S. case of the omicron variant has been identified in California in a traveler who returned from South Africa on Nov. 22, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday.

The patient had mild symptoms that were improving and was in isolation, officials said.

Much remains unknown about the highly mutated variant, which scientists fear could be more transmissible and more resistant to vaccines. The new variant has been identified in more than 20 countries since it was first identified in southern Africa last week.

Post reporters answered your questions about the omicron variant

Here’s what to know

• World health officials criticized blanket travel bans on those coming from southern African nations, saying they will be ineffective against the spread of the omicron variant.
• Anthony S. Fauci, the country’s top infectious-disease expert, said the Biden administration is preparing for a possible “variant-specific boost” of vaccinations.
• President Donald Trump tested positive for the coronavirus days before he shared the debate stage with then-nominee Joe Biden in September 2020, according to his former chief of staff.

Axios:

The new Omicron variant has been detected in a vaccinated Minnesota resident with recent travel history to New York City, the Minnesota Department of Health said in a statement.

Driving the news:

• The confirmed case involved a patient who developed mild symptoms on Nov. 22 and got a COVID-19 test on Nov. 24, per MDH. He is no longer experiencing symptoms.

State of play:

• The Minnesota case comes one day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the United States' first known case of the variant.
• Omicron cases have also been confirmed across Europe, Canada, Israel, Hong Kong and Australia, among other countries, since the variant was first identified by scientists in South Africa last month.