Omicron Variant Detected In Minnesota Resident

HENNEPIN COUNTY, MN — A Hennepin County resident who recently traveled to New York City contracted the new omicron coronavirus variant, making it the second known case of the variant found in the U.S. after it was reported in California on Wednesday, health officials said.

The Minnesota Department of Health on Thursday announced that its lab found the variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus variant known as omicron.

The person developed mild symptoms on Nov. 22 and sought COVID-19 testing on Nov. 24. His symptoms have since "resolved," officials said.

The man had traveled to New York City to attend the Anime NYC 2021 convention at the Javits Center from Nov. 19-21.

Invite a friend to subscribe to free Minnesota newsletters and real-time email alerts.

Under current New York City rules, everyone 12 and older are required to show proof of vaccination before entering the Javits Center and other indoor venues in the city.

Minnesota epidemiologists are working with New York City and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate the case.

"CDC has been actively monitoring and preparing for this variant," the agency's director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, said in a statement,

"We have been working closely with Minnesota’s Department of Health and will continue to work diligently with other U.S. and global public health and industry partners as we learn more. CDC has expanded its capacity for genomic sequencing over the past nine months and we have more tools to fight the variant than we had at this time last year from vaccines to boosters to the prevention strategies that we know work including masking in indoor public settings, washing your hands frequently and physical distancing. These methods work to prevent the spread of COVID-19, no matter the genetic sequence."

Also read: New Omicron COVID Case Has NYC Link

The variant was found through the Minnesota health department's variant surveillance program.

"Since the beginning of this pandemic, Minnesota’s nation-leading genome sequencing infrastructure and strong testing network have allowed the state to quickly track the COVID-19 virus and better understand its spread. Today, those tools detected a case of the Omicron variant in Minnesota," said Gov. Tim Walz in a news release.

"This news is concerning, but it is not a surprise. We know that this virus is highly infectious and moves quickly throughout the world. Minnesotans know what to do to keep each other safe now — get the vaccine, get tested, wear a mask indoors, and get a booster. Together, we can fight this virus and help keep Minnesotans safe."

The World Health Organization has labeled omicron a "variant of concern." Scientists are still working to determine how it compares with the delta variant in terms of transmissibility and disease severity, and how much the existing vaccines and therapies protect against omicron.

Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm said Thursday that the finding underscores the importance of continued efforts by all Minnesotans to limit the spread of COVID-19 in any form.

"We still have more to learn about Omicron, but the most important thing we can do right now is to use the tools we have available to make it as hard as possible for this virus to spread," Malcolm said.

“In addition to vaccination and boosters, we can slow the spread of this variant and all COVID-19 variants by using the tried-and-true prevention methods of wearing masks, staying home when sick, and getting tested when appropriate.”

Health officials urge Minnesotans to take the following steps to protect against COVID-19:

• Get vaccinated and, if eligible, get a booster. To find a vaccine near you, visit Find my vaccine.
• Wear well-fitting masks in indoor public settings and crowded outdoor settings.
• Get tested if you have symptoms, have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, have traveled as noted under CDC guidelines or have been in a setting where you may have been exposed.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Wash hands frequently.
• Stay away from crowds.
• Improve ventilation in your home and workplace.
• Take extra care to avoid exposure to the virus if you have medical conditions or live with someone with medical conditions.