When was the Omicron variant of COVID-19 detected 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 individual was a traveler who returned from South Africa on November 22, 2021.

When was the first case of the COVID-19 variant Omicron identified in the US?

December 1, 2021: The first confirmed U.S. case of Omicron was identified.

Is there a difference in spread between the Omicron and Delta COVID-19 variant?

The Omicron variant spreads more easily than earlier variants of the virus that cause COVID-19, including the Delta variant. CDC expects that anyone with Omicron infection, regardless of vaccination status or whether or not they have symptoms, can spread the virus to others.

Does the Omicron COVID-19 variant cause more severe disease?

Omicron infection generally causes less severe disease than infection with prior variants. Preliminary data suggest that Omicron may cause more mild disease, although some people may still have severe disease, need hospitalization, and could die from the infection with this variant.

Can you get reinfected with the COVID-19 Omicron variant?

The data we have so far suggest that a second Omicron infection is "rare, but can occur".

Unique symptoms associated with the omicron variant

What are some of the symptoms of the Omicron COVID-19 variant?

All of the variants, including delta and omicron, cause similar COVID-19 symptoms, including cough, fever and fatigue. There is some evidence that fewer people with omicron lose their taste and smell.

Should I be worried about getting the COVID-19 Omicron variant?

While some have suggested that most people will eventually get the coronavirus, you should do your best to avoid infection with Omicron—there is no justification for deliberately getting infected so you have what you think will be a mild illness that will provide you with more immunity going forward, the doctors say.

Is Omicron less severe than the Delta COVID-19 variant?

The omicron coronavirus variant causes less severe disease than the delta strain even in those who are unvaccinated or who haven't had a prior Covid-19 infection, a study from South Africa's Western Cape province showed.

Can the Omicron variant of COVID-19 cause severe croup in children?

The Omicron COVID-19 variant can cause croup in young children, including severe cases that require hospitalization and intensive care, a new study shows.

Is lower back pain associated with the omicron COVID-19 variant?

A report from South Africa's largest health insurer found that a sore throat, congestion, dry cough and lower back pain ranked among the most common early omicron symptoms.

Is the Delta variant more contagious than the original strain of COVID-19?

People infected with the Delta variant have roughly 1,000 times more copies of the virus in their respiratory tract than those infected with the original strain of COVID-19. Those who are fully vaccinated are much less likely than those who are unvaccinated to contract and spread the Delta variant, but it does happen.

Is Delta more transmissible than the Alpha COVID-19 variant?

It's estimated that Delta caused more than twice as many infections as previous variants—in Connecticut, it was estimated to have been 80 to 90% more transmissible than the Alpha variant.

Are the symptoms of the Delta COVID-19 variant different from the original COVID-19?

The symptoms of the delta variant appear to be the same as the original version of COVID-19. However, physicians are seeing people getting sicker quicker, especially for younger people.

Where was the COVID-19 IHU variant discovered?

The IHU variant, officially known as B.1.640.2, was named by researchers who discovered it in a male patient at the Méditerranée Infection University Hospital Institute (IHU) in France.

When was the COVID-19 Omicron variant first identified in South Africa?

The B. 1.1. 529 (omicron) variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first identified on November 25, 2021, in Gauteng province, South Africa.

Are there different variants of COVID-19 in the US?

SARS-CoV-2 is constantly changing, and new variants of the virus are expected to occur. In early 2021, the Alpha variant emerged, followed by the Delta variant later that summer. In late 2021 and throughout early 2022, the Omicron variant swept across the country and continues to be the predominant variant circulating in the United States.

Is coughing a symptom of COVID-19 or croup?

The culprit is COVID-19, which can trigger croup, characterized by inflammation just below the vocal cords that causes a hoarse voice, obstructed breathing, and a noisy cough that sounds like “a seal barking,” Dr. Wu says.

What are the common side effects of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on children?

For children and teens ages 12 through 17 years, the most commonly reported side effects after getting the first two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are: Tiredness. Fever. Headache.

What is multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children in the context of COVID-19?

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) is a rare but serious condition associated with COVID-19 in which different body parts become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. MIS can affect children (MIS-C) and adults (MIS-A).

Does the COVID-19 booster vaccine protect against the Omicron variant?

In adult populations, the protection conferred by two vaccine doses against Covid-19 wanes (more against milder infection than against severe disease) and is lower for omicron than for delta. However, a booster dose increases protection, including protection against omicron.

How long are people experiencing omicron COVID-19 symptoms?

“It has become apparent that omicron generally leads to milder symptoms for the most part,” Dr. Bahmanpour says. “And symptoms usually last 5 to 10 days, which is shorter than previous variants, which could last up to 14 days.”

Does the Delta COVID-19 variant show symptoms more quickly?

The symptoms of the delta variant appear to be the same as the original version of COVID-19. However, physicians are seeing people getting sicker quicker, especially for younger people. Recent research found that the delta variant grows more rapidly – and to much greater levels – in the respiratory tract.

Should I be concerned about having the J&J COVID-19 vaccine?

The FDA also attached a warning to the J&J vaccine in July, after reports linked the vaccine to Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological disorder. For both warnings, the agency said the incidence was very rare, and the benefits of the vaccine still outweighed the risks.

Does Arizona have the Omicron variant of COVID-19?

The omicron variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 is now overwhelmingly dominant in Arizona, a result that some researchers have been expecting and can now confirm with data, according to sequencing labs at Arizona State University and TGen.

What are the common side effects of the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine?

Side effects post first vaccine dose of normal injection site pain, fatigue and headache were more common in participants aged ≤49 years versus >49 years, while pain at the vaccination site, fatigue, lethargy, headache and tenderness were the most common side effects post second dose in both groups.