The first US case of the Omicron COVID strain has been confirmed in the state of California, Dr. Anthony Fauci announced during a press briefing on Wednesday.
The “variant of concern,” which has already been reported in seventeen countries, has now reached California, the president’s top medical adviser said while flanked by White House press secretary Jen Psaki.
Dr. Anthony Fauci said the infected individual, who was fully vaccinated, had just returned from South Africa to the San Francisco area on Nov. 22 and tested positive on Nov. 29.
“The individual is self quarantining and all close contacts have been contacted and all close contacts, thus far, have tested negative,” he announced at a White House press briefing providing more details of the case. “We feel good that this patient not only had mild symptoms, but actually the symptoms appear to be improving.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom cautioned residents against panicking.
“CA’s large-scale testing and early detection systems have found the Omicron COVID-19 variant in California. We should assume that it’s in other states as well. There’s no reason to panic–but we should remain vigilant. That means get vaccinated. Get boosted. Wear a mask indoors.”
Newsom has scheduled a press briefing at 3 p.m. ET on the variant.
