New York introduced three extra instances of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus on Saturday, bringing the variety of instances related to the brand new variant within the states to eight.
“The Omicron variant is right here, and as anticipated, we’re seeing the beginning of the unfold locally,” State Well being Commissioner Mary Bassett mentioned in a press launch.
The variety of states discovering the variant can also be rising, with Massachusetts, Connecticut and Washington asserting their first instances on Saturday, the day after New Jersey, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Maryland reported their first confirmed instances. Missouri reported its first alleged case on Friday.
The variant has additionally been detected in Nebraska, Minnesota, California, Hawaii, Colorado, and Utah.
In New York, seven of the instances had been present in New York Metropolis, as soon as a worldwide epicenter of the pandemic, and the opposite in Suffolk County.
Omicron’s arrival comes as hospitals throughout the state proceed to endure from a surge in coronavirus instances, most of that are because of the Delta variant, together with employees shortages.
The quantity of people that examined constructive for the virus each day throughout the nation has doubled previously 30 days.
Governor Kathy Hochul has in latest days empowered the Division of Well being to restrict non-essential, non-urgent procedures in hospitals the place beds have gotten scarce and has deployed Nationwide Guard groups to alleviate well being care employees in amenities coping with staffing points and coping with rising case numbers.
Fifteen members of the Nationwide Guard arrived at Monroe Group Hospital in Rochester on Saturday, the WROC reported. Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin mentioned Wednesday the state will probably be sending 13 Nationwide Guard groups to the western borough of New York, the place borough chief Adam Bello has declared a state of emergency.
The Omicron instances in New York appear to have nothing to do with one another thus far, Hochul mentioned. One of many identified instances concerned a Minnesota man who was amongst 50,000 individuals who attended a three-day anime competition in New York Metropolis in November. Authorities have requested everybody attending the convention to get examined for COVID-19 and put on a masks in public.
A lot remains to be unknown about Omicron, together with whether or not it’s extra contagious as some well being officers counsel, whether or not it could possibly thwart vaccines, and whether or not it makes folks as sick as the unique pressure.
White Home chief medical officer Anthony Fauci mentioned the particular person was absolutely vaccinated and flew to the US from South Africa on Nov. 22. Fauci says the particular person has proven gentle signs thus far.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont reported the primary confirmed case of the variant in his state on Saturday, saying it could even be associated to the New York Metropolis Anime Conference. The case issues a vaccinated 60-year-old man from the Hartford space who has a member of the family who attended the conference. The member of the family, who was additionally vaccinated, developed signs which have since subsided, mentioned the Lamont workplace.
Three instances of the Omicron variant had been confirmed in Washington state on Saturday – one every in Counties of Thurston, Pierce and King, state well being officers mentioned. They discovered that the investigation was nonetheless in its infancy and particulars of the journey historical past of the sufferers, two males and one lady between the ages of 20 and 39, weren’t but identified.
A Massachusetts lady in her twenties who traveled from the state is the primary identified case of the variant found in her state, the Division of Well being mentioned on Saturday. The unidentified lady – a Middlesex County resident – is absolutely vaccinated and has gentle signs.
A girl who lately traveled from South Africa grew to become the primary confirmed case in each New Jersey and Georgia after being handled in an emergency room for average signs. The absolutely vaccinated Georgia resident spent two days in her dwelling state between her arrival from South Africa and her onward journey to New Jersey, well being officers in each states mentioned.
The primary three instances of the Omicron variant in Maryland had been discovered within the metropolitan space of Baltimore and contain two folks from the identical family, authorities mentioned. One of many two is a vaccinated one who lately traveled to South Africa. The third case, recognized in a vaccinated particular person with no latest journey historical past, is unrelated.
In Pennsylvania, a person in his thirties from Philadelphia was the state’s first case. The Philadelphia Division of Well being didn’t instantly disclose whether or not the person was vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19 or was touring.
The allegedly first Missouri case includes somebody who lately traveled inside the USA, in accordance with state well being officers who didn’t present extra particulars concerning the St. Louis resident. The St. Louis Division of Well being mentioned it was awaiting approval from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
The variety of instances in California, Nebraska, and Colorado rose on Friday.
5 instances in Northern California had been linked to a Wisconsin wedding ceremony late final month, public well being officers mentioned. One of many folks had lately returned from worldwide journey, in accordance with the Alameda County Division of Well being.
Well being officers confirmed six new instances of the variant in southeast Nebraska. State well being officers mentioned the state’s first case doubtless got here from one of many six who lately traveled to Nigeria and returned on Nov. 23.
Colorado found the state’s second case of the state’s Omicron variant only a day after the state’s first confirmed case, officers mentioned Friday.
“We knew the Omicron variant was coming and we count on extra instances. However let me make it clear: we’re not defenseless, ”mentioned Hochul. “We’ve got the instruments to stop this lethal virus from spreading: get your vaccine, get your booster, and put on your masks.”
In the meantime, 10 folks aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship approaching New Orleans have examined constructive for COVID-19, officers mentioned Saturday night time. Norwegian Breakaway left city on Nov. 28 and was scheduled to return this weekend after stopping in Belize, Honduras and Mexico for the previous few days, the Louisiana Well being Division mentioned. Greater than 3,200 individuals are on board. Officers didn’t initially say whether or not the passengers had been examined for virus variants.
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Related press writers Steve LeBlanc in Boston and Michelle Value in New York contributed to this report.
