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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified the first case of the omicron COVID-19 variant in the U.S.
“The California and San Francisco Departments of Public Health have confirmed that a recent case of COVID-19 among an individual in California was caused by the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529),” the CDC wrote in a Wednesday statement.
An individual returned from South Africa on Nov. 22, 2021.
“The individual, who was fully vaccinated and had mild symptoms that are improving, is self-quarantining and has been since testing positive. All close contacts have been contacted and have tested negative,” the CDC noted.
Genomic sequencing was conducted at the University of California.
Dr. Anthony Fauci said that officials “knew it was just a matter of time before the first case of omicron would be detected in the U.S.
The CEO of Moderna admits the coronavirus vaccine will likely not be effective against the omicron variant, Fox News reports.
Stéphane Bancel told the Financial Times, “I think it’s going to be a material drop.”
“I just don’t know how much because we need to wait for the data,” he added.
In South Africa, a new variation has been identified as “Omicron” by World Health Organization officials.
Joe Biden said the new variant is a “cause for concern, not a cause for panic.” In response, Joe Biden announced new travel restrictions on the country of South Africa despite previous comments that such bans by Trump were racist and xenophobic.
Suddenly, now that Biden controls the White House, he is implementing his own travel bans. He appears completely blind to his own hypocrisy.
In a statement, Biden says, “This morning I was briefed by my chief medical advisor, Dr. Tony Fauci, and the members of our COVID response team, about the Omicron variant, which is spreading through Southern Africa.”
“As a precautionary measure until we have more information, I am ordering additional air travel restrictions from South Africa and seven other countries. These new restrictions will take effect on November 29.”
More from Fox News:
He told the paper that he does not believe there is a “world” where the effectiveness is the same level that vaccines had with the Delta variant. He said he’s spoken to scientists who told him that this variant is “not going to be good.” He also said it could be months before pharmaceutical companies can produce vaccines at scale to counter omicron.
The Financial Times reported that a recent Stanford study found the Moderna jab 56.6% effective against infection from the Delta variant.
He said he is not considering any widespread U.S. lockdown and instead urged mask-wearing and vaccinations, even as a federal judge blocked his administration from enforcing a requirement that thousands of health care workers in 10 states get the shot.
The World Health Organization said there are “considerable uncertainties” about the omicron variant. But it said preliminary evidence raises the possibility that the variant has mutations that could help it both evade an immune-system response and boost its ability to spread from one person to another.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reacted to the potential threat by urging everyone 18 and older to get booster shots, because “strong immunity will likely prevent serious illness.”
Back in February 2020, Biden said Trump’s travel ban on China as well as other countries was the result of “hysteria, xenophobia, and fear-mongering.”
“We need to lead the way with science,” Biden claimed, adding “not Donald Trump’s record of hysteria, xenophobia, and fear-mongering.”
“He is the worst possible person to lead our country through a global health emergency,” Biden said.
Biden opposed Trump’s travel ban on China as well as six other countries including Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania.
We are in the midst of a crisis with the coronavirus. We need to lead the way with science — not Donald Trump’s record of hysteria, xenophobia, and fear-mongering. He is the worst possible person to lead our country through a global health emergency.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) February 1, 2020
Biden double-down against travel bans as late as March 2020.
He said, “A wall will not stop the coronavirus.”
“Banning all travel from Europe,” he continued, “or any other part of the world — will not stop it.”
“This disease could impact every nation and any person on the planet — and we need a plan to combat it,” Biden said, again opposing Trump’s effort to restrict travel in combatting the spread of the virus.
A wall will not stop the coronavirus.
Banning all travel from Europe — or any other part of the world — will not stop it.
This disease could impact every nation and any person on the planet — and we need a plan to combat it.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) March 13, 2020
