California confirms first US case of omicron COVID-19 variant, health officials say

Federal officials confirm that the first detected case of the omicron COVID-19 variant in the United States was found in California.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, public health officials in California and San Francisco confirmed the detection

“The individual was a traveler who returned from South Africa on Nov. 22,” the CDC said in a statement. “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.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom, at an event to encourage booster shots in the Central Valley, said he was not surprised by the variant’s discovery in California.

“This was predictable,” said Newsom, who said it was too soon to know the full importance of the variant’s spread.

“The panic’s gotten ahead of the information,” he said.

The person, who was fully vaccinated, is a San Francisco resident who had returned from South Africa on Nov. 22. They have mild symptoms that are improving, a CDC release said.

This is the first case of the variant in the United States, which restricted travel from South Africa and eight other nations on Monday as details about the variant emerged from research there.

The World Health Organization previously identified and named omicron a “variant of concern” on Nov. 26.

“We knew that it was just a matter of time before the first case of omicron would be detected in the United States,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading health official, in announcing the case Wednesday at the White House.

To ensure detection and to prevent the spread of the virus and its variant, California is increasing COVID testing spots at airports across the state.

“We recognize that everyone is exhausted, and the news of a new variant can be overwhelming,” the CDPH and San Francisco Department of Public Health said in a joint statement. “It is important that we collectively focus on the things we know prevent the spread of COVID-19, and its variants.”

Health officials are urging people over 5 years of age to get their vaccinations and booster doses. They also advise masking in indoor public spaces, social distancing and staying home if you’re sick.

Newsom continued to urge parents to have their children vaccinated, pointing to infections among children in less vaccinated countries.

“Look at the hospitalization rates in South Africa. Pediatric hospitalizations should be a sober reminder... this is not just about those 65 and over... young people are susceptible as well.”

He said other Californians should continue to take the protective measures he has urged all along.

“What is our message here in the state of California? Let’s continue to do what we’ve done,” he said. “Not only are we leading the nation in terms of administering doses of vaccine... but 92.1% of all Californians 18 and older have received at least one dose.”

This story was originally published December 1, 2021 at 1:07 PM with the headline "California confirms first US case of omicron COVID-19 variant, health officials say."