JOHANNESBURG/WASHINGTON – Heavily mutated Omicron is rapidly becoming the dominant variant of the coronavirus in South Africa less than four weeks after it was first detected there, and the United States on Wednesday became the latest country to identify an Omicron case within its borders. ADVERTISEMENTThe first known U.S. case was a fully vaccinated person in California who returned to the United States from South Africa on Nov. 22 and tested positive seven days later. Britain and the United States have both expanded their booster programs in response to the new variant. TRAVEL RESTRICTIONSSome 56 countries were reportedly implementing travel measures to guard against Omicron as of Nov. 28, the WHO said. The United States has barred nearly all foreigners who have been in one of eight southern African countries.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 02, 2021 01:31 UTC