Newsom: Omicron variant won't spark California shutdown
Governor Gavin Newsom announces the confirmation of California's first case of the omicron variant of COVID-19 during a visit to a vaccination clinic at Frank Sparkes Elementary School in Winton, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (Andrew Kuhn/The Merced Sun-Star via AP)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
By DON THOMPSON
Dec. 1, 2021 4:02 PM PT
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Confirmation of the first U.S. case of the omicron variant in California was not surprising and shouldn't force another shutdown heading into the holidays, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday.
State health officials said they are increasing COVID-19 testing at California's airports for arrivals from countries identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as being areas where the newly identified variant is spreading. But otherwise Newsom said he does not anticipate that the most populous state will impose another stay-at-home order or other new restrictions.
"Look, I'm confident if we continue to do what we've done, which is continue to be in the top 10 in terms of the lowest case rates and on the highest vaccination rates, on the lowest positivity rate, that won't be an issue," he said during a visit to Merced County in the Central Valley to promote vaccinations and booster shots.
Newsom imposed the nation's first statewide stay-home order in March 2020. In September, he handily defeated an effort to recall him that was spurred by frustration with his restrictions designed to slow the virus's spread.
California health officials said the first U.S. case of the omicron variant was identified in a San Francisco resident who had recently traveled to South Africa and developed symptoms after returning, San Francisco health director Grant Colfax said.
The person returned on Nov. 22, developed mild symptoms and tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco obtained a sample from the patient Tuesday evening and worked overnight to identify the variant through genetic sequencing.
State and local health officials refused to provide many details about the person, citing privacy concerns, but Newsom said the person is between the ages of 18 and 49. The patient, who developed minor symptoms and wasn't hospitalized, was fully vaccinated but hadn't gotten a booster because the last shot was too recent, Newsom said.
State health officials said they are continuing to monitor the variant's presence and progress through California's existing genome sequencing surveillance process.
California's health secretary, Dr. Mark Ghaly, said the fact the infected individual was vaccinated might cause some to question the vaccines' effectiveness, particularly against the recently discovered variant.
"We've been talking for months about the fact that vaccinations do one really, really important thing: protect against severe disease, against hospitalization and death," he said. "And the evidence that an individual with omicron ... actually has mild symptoms, is improving, is a testimony to the importance of the vaccinations."
Ghaly said people can expect to see more cases in California. "That's why we need to keep our guard up," he said.
State health officials urged people to continue with the same precautions they have been promoting all along: Get the vaccine and a booster shot; wear masks indoors in public; get tested if symptoms develop; and stay home if feeling sick.
California experienced its worst surge of cases during last year's holiday season. Cases most recently spiked in late summer and then fell swiftly until largely plateauing. About 3,200 people are hospitalized, less than half than three months ago.
Get Essential San Diego, weekday mornings
A Northern California district attorney has confirmed that a farmworker charged with killing seven people was enraged by a $100 work-related repair bill
The 67 minutes of body camera and surveillance footage released in the death of a Memphis man at the hands of police give a glimpse of a harrowing night that oscillates between brutality and nonchalance
Authorities say police in Northern California shot and wounded a 17-year-old male wielding a knife Friday
Bystander wounded in shootout with police at Arizona RV park
Police in northwestern Arizona say a bystander was struck by gunfire during a shootout between a suspect and officers at a recreational vehicle resort
At least three people were killed and four wounded Saturday morning in a shooting in the upscale Benedict Canyon area of Los Angeles.
Authorities say three people were killed and four others wounded in a shooting at a multi-million dollar short-term rental home in Los Angeles early Saturday
Protesters in San Diego denounce Tyre Nichols' beating death, police violence
New state voting maps create majority Latino congressional district in San Diego
Opinion: Joe Biden's record so far — and what does he have left to do?