New York confirms 5 cases of the omicron coronavirus variant
New York is the fourth state to confirm the virus
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The omicron variant of the coronavirus has been documented in the New York City area.
Five cases of the variant have been confirmed in the New York City metropolitan area, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Gov. Kathy Hochul said on Thursday evening.
US President Joe Biden speaks about the administrations response to Covid-19 and the Omicron variant at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland on December 2, 2021. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) ((Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images))
THIRD OMICRON CASE IN THE UNITED STATES DETECTED IN COLORADO
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Hochul said that one case was documented in Brooklyn, two in Queens, and one in Suffolk County, Long Island.
"New York State has confirmed five cases of the omicron variant," Hochul tweeted. "Let me be clear: This is not cause for alarm. We knew this variant was coming and we have the tools to stop the spread. Get your vaccine. Get your booster. Wear your mask."
The news came the same day it was learned that the omicron variant was present in Minnesota and Colorado. The Minnesota man who tested positive for omicron traveled to New York City for an anime convention in November.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Dr. Anthony Fauci speaks about the Omicron coronavirus variant case, which was detected in California, during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., December 1, 2021. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Earlier this week, the first omicron case was confirmed in California.
Omicron is classified by the World Health Organization as a "variant of concern" as scientists work to determine how it may compare with the predominant delta variant in terms of transmissibility and severity. Scientists also are studying the degree to which existing vaccines and therapies protect against omicron.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Scientists in South Africa first reported it, but the samples came from several countries in southern Africa. And health officials in the Netherlands now say it was found there prior to the South Africa detection.
A hospital worker ensures people practice social distancing as they wait in line to get vaccinated against COVID-19 at the Lenasia South Hospital, near Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. Despite the global worry, doctors in South Africa are reporting patients with the omicron variant are suffering mostly mild symptoms so far. But they warn that it is early. (AP Photo/ Shiraaz Mohamed)
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Those infected by the new variant have suffered "very mild symptoms" so far, according to a South African doctor who first reported the variant.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Associated Press contributed to this report