Cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant are “likely to rise” in the coming weeks while the country continues to struggle with the Delta strain, CDC chief Rochelle Walensky has warned.
Over a dozen U.S. states have reported cases since the first Omicron infection was found in California last week. Other states affected so far are Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Meanwhile, researchers in South Africa and elsewhere are rapidly investigating the variant amid fears it could trigger a major wave of infections across the world due to more infectiousness and could possibly evade current vaccines.
Follow Newsweek’s liveblog for all the latest…
Omicron spreads to 17th state
In less than a week, the variant has spread rapidly across over a dozen U.S. states – the latest being Georgia. Health officials confirmed the state’s first Omicron infection last night.
The person recently traveled from South Africa and developed mild symptoms, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. They are now isolating at home and contact tracing is underway to identify close contacts at risk of infection.
Good morning and welcome to Newsweek’s liveblog
It is hoped this week scientists investigating the COVID-19 Omicron variant will be able to say confidently just how dangerous it is. In the meantime, the new strain is spreading across the U.S. and the world.
Follow Newsweek’s liveblog throughout Monday for all the latest.
