New York is latest state to identify cases of COVID-19 omicron variant

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Thursday that the authorities has identified 5 cases of the COVID-19 omicron variant.

"Let maine beryllium clear: This is not origin for alarm," Hochul said successful a tweet. "We knew this variant was coming and we person the tools to halt the spread."

The omicron variant has present been identified successful New York, Minnesota, California and Colorado.

The antheral who tested affirmative for the omicron variant successful Minnesota said helium had traveled to New York City to be the Anime NYC 2021 normal astatine the Javits Center from Nov. 19-21. At this point, it's unclear whether that was a root of spread.

New York City Health Commissioner David Chokshi encouraged everyone who attended the lawsuit to get tested.

"It is apt that this is not an isolated case, meaning that determination is ongoing assemblage dispersed of the Omicron variant successful NYC," he said.

President Biden Thursday revealed his nine-point program to combat COVID-19 implicit the winter.

The program includes escaped at-home COVID-19 tests, pushing booster shots for each adults, and moving to get much kids vaccinated.

Biden said he's besides strengthening investigating requirements for radical entering the U.S. careless of their vaccination status.

All inbound passengers volition present beryllium required to trial antagonistic for the microorganism 1 time anterior to travel.

"We're going to combat this variant with subject and speed, not chaos and confusion," Biden said.

The World Health Organization identified the omicron variant arsenic a "variant of concern." However, it's unclear whether the variant causes much terrible unwellness oregon tin flight extortion from vaccines.