A person in California who had been vaccinated against COVID-19 became the first in the U.S. to have an identified case of the omicron variant, the White House announced Wednesday as scientists continue to study the risks posed by the new virus strain.
Dr. Anthony Fauci told reporters the person was a traveler who returned from South Africa on Nov. 22 and tested positive on Nov. 29. Fauci said the person was vaccinated but had not received a booster shot and was experiencing “mild symptoms.”
The Biden administration moved late last month to restrict travel from Southern Africa where the variant was first identified and had been widespread. Clusters of cases have also been identified in about two dozen other nations.
“We knew that it was just a matter of time before the first case of omicron would be detected in the United States,” Fauci said.
He said the person was improving and added, “I think what’s happening now is another example of why it’s important for people to get vaccinated. But also boosting. Boosting is very important.”
Officials said they had contacted everyone who had close contact with the person and they had all tested negative.
Genomic sequencing was conducted at the University of California, San Francisco and the sequence was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is taking steps to tighten U.S. testing rules for travelers from overseas, including requiring a test for all travelers within a day of boarding a flight to the U.S. regardless of vaccination status. It was also considering mandating post-arrival testing.
Officials said those measures would only “buy time” for the country to learn more about the new variant and to take appropriate precautions, but that given its transmissibility its arrival in the U.S. was inevitable.
Much remains unknown about the new variant, including whether it is more contagious than previous strains, whether it makes people more seriously ill, and whether it can thwart the vaccine. Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, said more would be known about the omicron strain in two to four weeks as scientists grow and test lab samples of the virus.
California’s Department of Public Health credited the state’s “large-scale testing and early detection systems” for identifying the case.
“We recognize that everyone is exhausted, and the news of a new variant can be overwhelming. It is important that we collectively focus on the things we know prevent the spread of COVID-19, and its variants,” state public health officials said in a statement.
The announcement of the first U.S. case comes before President Joe Biden plans to outline his strategy on Thursday to combat the virus over the winter. Biden has tried to quell alarm over the omicron variant, saying it was a cause for concern but “not a cause for panic.”
Biden and public health officials have grown more urgent in their pleas for more Americans to get vaccinated — and for those who have been vaccinated to get booster shots to maximize their protection against the virus.
Updated on December 1, 2021, at 3:45 p.m. ET with the latest details.
Space travel is growing rapidly, and one billionaire businessman has purchased three SpaceX flights in order to push the industry forward. The Polaris Dawn, the first of three flights, will launch later this year, and its crew will conduct the first commercial spacewalk after they've reached the highest orbit in over 50 years. Jared Isaacman, Polaris Program Mission Commander and Founder & CEO of Shift4, joins Closing Bell to discuss the Polaris program's mission, when the first launch will happen and what it will entail, balancing his business with space exploration efforts, charitable efforts with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and more.
The most recent quarterly report from American Clean Power reveals the U.S. surpassed more than 200 gigawatts of total operating utility-scale clean power capacity in 2021. While it is a great milestone, significant policy issues have continued to slow growth for the industry and threaten our country's ability to meet emissions goals. John Hensley, VP for Research and Analytics at American Clean Power, joined Cheddar News to discuss more.
Cann, a cannabis-infused beverage company, announced today a $27 million Series A funding round from existing investors like Imaginary Ventures and a roster of new celebrity investors including Nina Dobrev, Adam Devine, Zoey Deutch, Jordan Cooper, Sara Foster, and Rosario Dawson. Cann is also announcing its first international expansion with the brand's launch in Canada. Jake Bullock, co-founder and CEO of Cann, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
By 2050, nuclear power share of total energy consumption will dip to just 3.7% down from the already measly 4.5% it is today, according to the U. S. Energy Information Administration. However, a group of world powers including the U.S. and Japan is looking to reverse the trend. John Kotek, SVP of Policy Development and Public Affairs at the Nuclear Energy Institute, joined Cheddar News to discuss.
Scientists say the fossil of a 170-million-year-old pterosaur, billed as the world’s best-preserved skeleton of the prehistoric winged reptile, has been found on the Isle of Skye in Scotland.
Equip is a virtual treatment platform for eating disorders, and recently raised $58 million in a Series B round led by The Chernin Group. The company aims to revolutionize treatment for eating disorders by delivering virtual care teams and clinical expertise directly to families' homes. Equip says the need for its platform has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Eating Disorder Association's helpline has had a 107% increase in contacts since the start of the pandemic. Kristina Saffran, CEO and co-founder of Equip, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Tonga's main internet connection to the rest of the world has finally been restored more than five weeks after a huge volcanic eruption and tsunami severed a crucial undersea cable.
Hank the Tank strikes again. The 500-pound black bear that has damaged more than 30 properties around Lake Tahoe last week broke into yet another home in its endless quest for a quick meal.
