NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — 5 instances of the COVID-19 Omicron variant have been confirmed in New York.
4 have been reported in New York Metropolis and one in Suffolk County, Gov. Kathy Hochul stated at a Thursday night information convention.
READ MORE: First U.S. Case Of Omicron Variant Detected In California
Officers say two of the instances are in Queens and one is in Brooklyn. The precise location of the fourth case in New York Metropolis is unknown presently, however Hochul says that particular person lives within the metropolis and is a “suspected traveler case.”
The case in Suffolk County is a 67-year-old girl who examined optimistic on Nov. 30, 5 days after getting back from a visit to South Africa. Officers say she had no less than one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
“[She] had signs, gentle signs, of a headache and a cough. There may be some vaccination historical past. We don’t know if it’s one vaccination, two or a booster shot. That info might be shared with the general public as quickly as we obtain it, however there’s no less than one vaccination concerned,” Hochul stated.
The vaccination statuses of the opposite 4 people are unknown presently.
Now we have 5 instances of the #OmicronVariant in New York State. 2 are in Queens, 1 is in Brooklyn, 1 is in an unidentified borough, and 1 is in Suffolk County. All 5 instances look like gentle.
This isn’t a time to panic. This can be a time to get vaccinated, get boosted, and get examined.
— Mayor Invoice de Blasio (@NYCMayor) December 3, 2021
“Whereas this can be extremely transmissible, no less than from the early proof, and extra info remains to be forthcoming, we wish folks to know that the early instances… are usually not life-threatening. They appear to be minor instances and that may be a supply of fine information for us proper now,” Hochul stated.
“Our testing and hint crew is on the market instantly working with every particular person who was affected to determine who else they got here involved with,” Mayor Bill de Blasio stated.
COVID-19 Replace: Researchers Say Omicron Variant Could Quickly Outpace Delta Variant In Cases Across U.S.
A Minnesota resident who lately attended the Anime NYC conference on the Javits Heart additionally tested positive for Omicron and experienced mild symptoms.
The three-day occasion drew 53,000 folks to New York Metropolis. Organizers required attendees to have no less than one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, which aligns with metropolis requirements for indoor actions.
Whereas some query if that coverage will change to require full vaccination, Hochul says for now, “We’re not altering our protocols.”
WATCH: Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mayor Invoice De Blasio Announce Omicron Circumstances Confirmed In New York —
Officers are urging everybody who attended Anime NYC to get examined, put on masks and take precautions like social distancing.
A spokesperson for the conference launched the next assertion —
“On December 2, we have been notified {that a} customer to Anime NYC examined optimistic for the brand new omicron variant of COVID-19. Now we have confirmed with New York’s well being officers that the occasion adopted all steerage laid out by town and state, together with masks necessities and proof of vaccination for all people contained in the Javits Heart. In accordance with the Minnesota Division of Well being, the customer developed gentle signs on November 22, was examined on November 24, and their signs have since resolved. We’re working actively with New York Metropolis well being officers, who advocate anybody who attended Anime NYC get examined.”
The spokesperson couldn’t affirm what number of days the person attended the conference.
David Crownson was among the many hundreds on the conference.
“It was actually crowded,” he informed CBS2’s Cory James. “And there have been individuals who have been simply form of on the market with no masks … I’m getting examined simply to alleviate the stress for myself.”
“We do anticipate there might be extra instances, however to the extent that they’re gentle, we’ll handle them. This isn’t trigger for alarm. Once more, it was foreseen ever because it was first reported out of South Africa,” stated Hochul.
“I need all New Yorkers to know that their state authorities, in collaboration with our native governments, our cities and our counties, are ready for this,” she added.
New York State has confirmed 5 instances of the omicron variant.
Let me be clear: This isn’t trigger for alarm. We knew this variant was coming and we’ve the instruments to cease the unfold.
Get your vaccine. Get your booster. Put on your masks.
— Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) December 2, 2021
Hochul, de Blasio and New York Metropolis Well being Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi proceed to induce New Yorkers to get vaccinated.
“Now we have an enormous vaccination equipment and that’s by far our greatest capability to guard everybody in opposition to this variant or every other type of COVID,” de Blasio stated.
“Past that, masking and testing are vital,” stated Chokshi. “There are frequent sense precautions that we’ve seen have labored over the previous two years. Keep residence in the event you’re not feeling nicely, that features gentle signs… Hand washing, notably vital proper now, as nicely.”
“It begins on the muse of vaccination. New York Metropolis is in a great place, however we’ve to drive even additional,” Chokshi added.
This information comes on the heels of de Blasio saying town is imposing a vaccine mandate on employees of private schools, together with Catholic colleges and yeshivas.
The nation’s first case of Omicron was confirmed in California on Wednesday.
Officers repeatedly warned that the brand new mutation would inevitably arrive within the Tri-State Space.
Although medical doctors are solely to starting to be taught concerning the Omicron variant, they’ve stated it might be extremely transmissible. It reportedly first surfaced in Europe earlier than being confirmed in South Africa.
The U.S. has since banned travel from eight countries in southern Africa.
MORE NEWS: CDC Steps Up Screening For Omicron Variant At Area Airports
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