Even as officials await more information on the dangers of the Omicron coronavirus variant, one immediate action they recommend is prioritizing the genetic sequencing of positive virus samples, especially from immunocompromised people.
patient in our hospital with COVID. Immediately the consultant on the team said, 'Let's get the lab to refer this [sample] for genetic surveillance,'" he said.Public health officials are ramping up efforts in the face of the many unknowns about Omicron, Julie Vaishampayan, MD, MPH, said during the briefing.Public health is increasing testing, whole genome sequencing, case investigation, and contact tracing when cases are identified."We're at the time of year...
Genomic sequencing of positive test samples has greatly improved in the United States, he said."were very far behind with genomics surveillance in the U.S. in 2020. We we've done a much better job this year."
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Border closures won't do much to stop Omicron, expert says, and could be counterproductivePresident Biden’s decision late last week to ban travel from eight southern African countries is unlikely to curb the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant, an epidemiologist warns, and could even be counterproductive.
Read more »
First confirmed US case of Omicron coronavirus variant detected in CaliforniaThe US' first confirmed case of the Omicron coronavirus variant has been identified in California. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, said the case was an individual who traveled from South Africa.
Read more »
Why scientists — and much of the world — reacted so quickly to the omicron variantThese early signs made omicron different from previous Covid variants, experts say.
Read more »
Omicron Covid variant likely circulating for longer — and more widely — than thought, experts sayThere are increasing signs of community transmission as cases emerge with no travel links to southern Africa.
Read more »
South Africa considers vaccine mandates as omicron cases spiralAfter first identifying the omicron Covid-19 variant, South Africa is bracing for a fourth wave of infections.
Read more »