CDC: Most of 43 omicron instances detected in first days of December thought-about gentle
The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) detected 43 COVID-19 instances attributed to the omicron variant, practically all of which have been thought-about gentle and found within the first week of December.
At the very least 22 states documented at the very least one COVID-19 case related to the brand new variant of concern throughout the first eight days of December, in line with knowledge launched by the CDC on Friday. Out of the 43 instances, the company confirmed one hospitalization, which lasted two days, and nil deaths.
Whereas the U.S. confirmed its first case of omicron final week in a California resident, the CDC mentioned at the very least one affected person who traveled internationally developed signs on Nov. 15. The timeline means the omicron pressure was possible within the U.S. longer than initially thought, because the California affected person first skilled signs on Nov. 25.
South Africa first reported the omicron pressure to the World Well being Group on Nov. 24 — two days earlier than the worldwide group designated it as a variant of concern.
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky
Rochelle WalenskyIn a single day Well being Care — Boosters expanded to 16- and 17-year-olds CDC indicators off on Pfizer booster pictures for 16-17 12 months previous teenagers World dangerously unprepared for subsequent pandemic: analysis MORE detailed among the knowledge in an interview with The Related Press on Thursday, together with that a lot of the 43 instances thus far have been thought-about gentle and that a lot of the sufferers had been vaccinated.
Virtually 80 p.c of the sufferers with an omicron pressure had a full main collection of a COVID-19 vaccine. Fourteen had obtained an extra or booster dose, together with 5 who received that additional dose lower than 14 days after signs emerged.
One-third of the sufferers had traveled internationally inside 14 days of growing signs or testing optimistic. Many of the contaminated people ranged from 18 to 39 years previous, though the pressure additionally contaminated 4 kids and 4 adults aged 65 and older.
Solely three of the sufferers have been asymptomatic, with the most typical signs reported being cough, fatigue, congestion and runny nostril. Six sufferers had beforehand contracted COVID-19.
However the CDC researchers warned that “even when most infections are gentle, a extremely transmissible variant may end in sufficient instances to overwhelm well being programs.”
The delta variant remains to be thought-about probably the most prevalent pressure within the nation by far, estimated to make up 99.9 p.c of instances throughout the U.S. final week.
In response to the omicron variant’s emergence, the U.S. initiated a journey ban for eight African nations close to South Africa and Botswana, which have been the primary nations to report the pressure. The CDC additionally began a voluntary airport-based genomic surveillance program in 4 airports.
The company up to date its steerage to advocate booster doses for all adults within the days after the omicron variant was reported. On Thursday, the CDC expanded booster entry to 16- and 17-year-olds.
In its report, the CDC known as for the U.S. to make use of prevention methods starting from vaccinations, masking, improved air flow, testing, quarantine and isolation to curb the unfold of the virus, together with instances involving the omicron pressure.
