New York introduced three extra circumstances of the omicron variant of the coronavirus Saturday, bringing the variety of state circumstances linked to the brand new variant to eight.
“The omicron variant is right here, and as anticipated we’re seeing the start of group unfold,” state Well being Commissioner Mary Bassett stated in a information launch.
The variety of states discovering the variant is rising as effectively, with Massachusetts, Connecticut and Washington state asserting their first circumstances Saturday, a day after New Jersey, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Maryland reported their first confirmed circumstances. Missouri reported its first presumed case Friday.
The variant additionally has been detected in Nebraska, Minnesota, California, Hawaii, Colorado and Utah.
In New York, seven of the circumstances have been present in New York Metropolis, as soon as a world epicenter of the pandemic, and the opposite in Suffolk County.
The arrival of omicron comes as hospitals statewide proceed to pressure underneath a surge in coronavirus circumstances, most traced to the delta variant, together with staffing shortages.
The variety of individuals testing constructive statewide every day for the virus has doubled within the final 30 days.
Gov. Kathy Hochul in latest days has approved the Well being Division to restrict nonessential, non-urgent procedures at hospitals near operating out of beds and deployed Nationwide Guard groups to alleviate healthcare employees at services coping with staffing points and surging caseloads.
Fifteen members of the Nationwide Guard arrived at Monroe Neighborhood Hospital in Rochester on Saturday, WROC reported. Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin stated Wednesday the state would ship 13 Nationwide Guard groups to the western New York county, the place County Government Adam Bello has declared a state of emergency.
New York’s omicron circumstances to date seem like unrelated, Hochul stated. One of many identified circumstances concerned a person from Minnesota who was amongst 50,000 individuals who attended a three-day anime competition in New York Metropolis in November. Authorities have urged anybody who attended the convention to get examined for COVID-19 and put on a masks in public.
A lot stays unknown about omicron, together with whether or not it’s extra contagious, as some well being authorities suspect, whether or not it could possibly thwart vaccines and whether or not it makes individuals as sick as the unique pressure.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on Saturday reported his state’s first confirmed case of the variant, saying it might even be linked to the New York Metropolis anime conference. The case includes a vaccinated Hartford-area man in his 60s who has a member of the family who attended the conference. The member of the family, who can also be vaccinated, developed signs which have since resolved, Lamont’s workplace stated.
In Washington state, three circumstances of the omicron variant have been confirmed Saturday — one every in Thurston, Pierce and King counties, state well being officers stated. They famous the investigation continues to be early, and particulars weren’t but identified on the journey histories of the sufferers, two males and a lady who vary from 20 to 39 years previous.
A Massachusetts girl in her 20s who had traveled out of state is the primary identified case of the variant detected in her state, the Division of Public Well being introduced Saturday. The unidentified girl — a resident of Middlesex County — is absolutely vaccinated and has skilled gentle signs.
A lady who not too long ago traveled from South Africa grew to become each New Jersey and Georgia’s first confirmed case after searching for take care of average signs at an emergency room. The absolutely vaccinated Georgia resident was in her house state for 2 days between arriving from South Africa and touring onward to New Jersey, well being officers in each states stated.
Maryland’s first three circumstances of the omicron variant have been discovered within the Baltimore metropolitan area and embody two individuals from the identical family, authorities stated. One of many two is a vaccinated one that not too long ago traveled to South Africa. The third case, detected in a vaccinated individual with no latest journey historical past, is unrelated.
In Pennsylvania, a person in his 30s from Philadelphia grew to become that state’s first case. The Philadelphia Division of Public Well being didn’t instantly say whether or not the person was vaccinated towards COVID-19 or if he had been touring.
Missouri’s presumed first case includes somebody who not too long ago traveled inside the U.S., based on state well being officers, who didn’t present extra particulars in regards to the St. Louis resident. The St. Louis Well being Division stated it was awaiting affirmation from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
Case counts in California, Nebraska and Colorado grew Friday.
5 circumstances in Northern California have been linked to a marriage in Wisconsin late final month, public well being officers stated. One of many people had not too long ago returned from touring internationally, based on the Alameda County Division of Public Well being.
Well being officers confirmed six new circumstances of the variant in southeastern Nebraska. State well being officers stated the state’s first case seemingly stemmed from one of many six who not too long ago traveled to Nigeria and returned on Nov. 23.
Colorado detected the state’s second case of the omicron variant only a day after the state’s first confirmed case, officers stated Friday.
“We knew the omicron variant was coming and we count on to see extra circumstances. However let me be clear: We aren’t defenseless,” Hochul stated. “We now have the instruments to assist stop the unfold of this lethal virus: Get your vaccine, get your booster, and put on your masks.”
In the meantime, 10 individuals aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship approaching New Orleans have examined constructive for COVID-19, officers stated Saturday evening. The Norwegian Breakaway departed town Nov. 28 and was as a result of return this weekend after making stops in Belize, Honduras and Mexico in latest days, Louisiana’s well being company stated. Greater than 3,200 persons are on board. Officers didn’t instantly say whether or not the passengers had been examined for virus variants.