California Joins Omicron Variant Locations

U.S. health officials confirmed today that the first case of the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 virus variant had been identified in a person currently in California.

During today's press conference, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed the individual returned from South Africa on November 22, 2021.

"The individual, who was fully vaccinated and had mild symptoms that are improving, and is self-quarantining. All close contacts have tested negative."

The new variant Omicron has been found in countries from Europe to the Middle East.

The ECDC reported as of December 1, 2021, a total of 59 cases have been reported by 11 European Union and European Economic Area countries: Austria (3), Belgium (2), Czechia (1), Denmark (4), France (1, in Réunion), Germany (9), Italy (4), the Netherlands (16), Portugal (14), Spain (2), and Sweden (3).

Cases have been reported in 12 countries and territories outside the EU/EEA - Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Israel, Japan, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.