The United States reports the first case of the omicron variant

The United States identified a first case of the new variant of the omicron coronavirus in California, the country’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on Wednesday.

For days, US health authorities have said that the new variant – first detected in South Africa and announced on November 25 – was likely already in the United States, as dozens of other countries had found it as well.

The US health agency said the person was a traveler returning from South Africa and fully vaccinated.

Ómicron, called “variant of concern”By the World Health Organization (WHO), it is being studied to see if it is more contagious or causes serious diseases than others.

The variant has also been detected in several countries, including Spain, Canada, the United Kingdom, Austria, and Portugal.

America’s leading infectious disease expert, Anthony Fauci, said the infected individual had returned from South Africa on November 22 and tested positive seven days later. He added that he had not had a booster shot and that the symptoms were mild.

“The individual is taking care of himself and has contacted all close contacts and all so far have tested negative”Said Fauci, who is also an adviser to President Joe Biden.

The mutated variant is spreading rapidly in South Africa, less than four weeks after it was detected, authorities said Wednesday.

Early signs suggesting that omicron may be noticeably more contagious than previous variants have rocked financial markets, fearful that new restrictions around the world could stifle a timid recovery from the economic ravages of the pandemic.