Omicron in California: State reports 47% increase in new variant cases

By Aldon Thomas Stiles | California Black Media

(CBM) – As of Monday, there were 39 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 variant Omicron in California, according to the California Department of Public Health. That number represents a 240% increase in new variant cases since Thanksgiving.

As authorities monitor and work to stem the spread of the new strand of COVID-19, Gov. Gavin Newsom continues to promote booster shots for eligible Californians: adults 18 and older – or teens 17 or older. 16 years old – who have been fully vaccinated for at least six months.

In addition, the state has reinstated mask warrants in several counties that were deprived of them during the pandemic.

“Yesterday California reinstated – in counties and sections of state where we currently have no indoor masking requirements – a one-month indoor masking requirement in public places.” . This is meant to support us, as we have all long done in California, to stay on our toes in a time of uncertainty and unknown with Omicron, ”said Dr. Mark Ghaly of the California Health and Service Agency. social.

“Requiring indoor masking as California continues to learn more about Omicron gives us a chance to remain vigilant in a very determined and meaningful way during these critical weeks of celebration without having to do what other countries have had to do. that’s put additional limitations on the things that we all miss, ”Ghaly explained.

Ghaly says that once the federal government approves the booster vaccine for children, the state will issue a vaccination warrant for the state’s students, in addition to other vaccinations required by California.

At a recent press conference, Newsom said there was unlikely to be another lockdown due to the new variant.

According to the governor, the first confirmed case of the variant in California, which was reported in San Francisco two weeks ago, was someone who was not eligible for a vaccine booster. He expects the person to “make a full recovery”.

In the United States, there are now more than 43 confirmed cases of the Omicron variant in at least 25 states.

The President’s Chief Medical Advisor, Dr Anthony Fauci, says the recall is the safest method to combat the threat of the Omicron variant.

“There is every reason to believe that if you get the vaccine and boosted, you would at least have some degree of cross-protection,” Fauci said of the variant.

Last week, Fauci said he expects the official definition of “fully vaccinated” to change from the current requirement of two vaccinations to the inclusion of the third booster. He said it was a matter of “when, not if”.

Last Friday, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a five-page report sharing the results of a study focused on

the 43 people across the country who contracted the Omicron variant. Only one of them was hospitalized and most presented mild symptoms such as cough or runny nose. More than 75% of them were fully vaccinated and almost 33% had received boosters.

California Surgeon General Dr Nadine Burke Harris took to Twitter to allay Californians’ fears about the state’s response to the new variant.

“While we are always learning more about the Omicron variant, we are still focusing on protection and prevention. Our best protection is to get vaccinated, wear masks, get tested if you have symptoms and stay home if you are sick, ”Burke Harris tweeted.

“When these four interventions are taken by all Californians, we are helping slow the spread of COVID-19 – including the Omicron variant,” his tweet continued.

California Black Media’s COVID-19 coverage is supported by the California Health Care Foundation.

CBM exists to facilitate communication between the black community, media, grassroots organizations, and policy makers by providing factual reporting to a network of over 21 black media outlets on major public policy issues.

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