BREAKING: US identifies first case of Omicron variant; patient was fully vaccinated



The very first case of the newly identified COVID-19 Omicron variant has been detected in California, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Wednesday.

In a news release, the public health agency said the new variant was detected in a fully vaccinated American traveler who returned from South Africa on Nov. 22.

"The individual, who was fully vaccinated and had mild symptoms that are improving, is self-quarantining and has been since testing positive," the CDC noted, adding, "All close contacts have been contacted and have tested negative."

The case was confirmed using genomic sequencing at the University of California-San Francisco.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.

Israeli immunologist says Omicron variant could be 'light at the end of the tunnel'



An Israeli immunologist suggested this week that the spread of the newly detected Omicron variant — which has sparked panic and resulted in travel bans worldwide — may actually signal the beginning of the end of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

"In my view maybe this new variant is the light at the end of the tunnel," Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Zvika Granot said Tuesday in an interview with i24 News, an Israeli international media network, adding, "This is a variant that is highly infectious but maybe not as aggressive."

During the interview, Granot argued that pandemics don't normally end due entirely to an effective vaccine. Rather, he said, "herd immunity" is often achieved when the virus ultimately mutates to become highly transmissible but minimally aggressive.

There are early indicators coming out of South Africa — where Omicron was first detected last week — showing that such may be the case for the new variant of concern.

"When you look at the future and try to envision how this will end one day, it's most likely not going to be because we got a fantastic vaccine. It just doesn't work this way and we have a lot of experience with viruses like the flu," Granot said.

"The way that it will end, at least in my view, is when we encounter this new variant that is highly infectious but is not very aggressive, meaning that a lot of people will get infected but none of them will develop serious symptoms. And in a sense that will be the way the population will really gain herd immunity, and then the coronavirus will just fade away," he added.

'Maybe this new variant is the light at the end of the tunnel,' says immunologist www.youtube.com

Mass hysteria followed Omicron's identification last week, as scientists issued warnings about the strain's unprecedented number of mutations and governments around the world enacted travel bans to stem the pathogen's spread. Global markets also cratered in response to concerns over the new variant.

On Monday, Moderna's CEO caused further alarm by suggesting that current COVID-19 vaccines may not be effective against Omicron.

Granot was careful to note that further study is needed and that there still may be reasons for concern. It's certainly possible that the current vaccines are less effective against the variant, he said, though he noted that "the truth is, we really don't know."

But the issue of vaccine efficacy could prove largely inconsequential if Omicron is found to be minimally aggressive, as Granot surmised.

He noted that such a revelation would not be surprising since respiratory viruses like the coronavirus generally fizzle out by evolving to "be less and less aggressive."

Biden says fight against Omicron variant will not include 'shutdowns or lockdowns'



President Joe Biden tried to assure Americans on Monday that the fight against the newest variant of the coronavirus would not include "shutdowns or lockdowns."

Biden made the comments during a televised address from the White House.

"On Thursday, I'll be putting forward a detailed strategy outlining how we're gonna fight COVID this winter, not with shutdowns or lockdowns, but with more widespread vaccinations, boosters, testing, and more," said Biden.

Biden said that current vaccines appeared to give some protection against the new variant, but added that the administration would push for new boosters if it appeared that they would be needed against the new variant.

"I will also direct the FDA and the CDC to use the fastest process available without cutting any corners for safety to get such vaccines approved and on the market if needed," he added.

A new variant designated the Omicron variant was first identified in South Africa, prompting the Biden administration to issue an emergency restriction on plane travel from some African countries. Cases of the variant have since been detected in Canada, in Europe, and in Australia.

The stock market also reacted very negatively to worries about the Omicron virus on Friday, when the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted more than 900 points, about 2% of its value, and the S&P 500 dropped by more than 100 points, or 2.3% of its value.

Markets recouped some of that loss on Monday when the stock market resumed trading.

Also on Monday, Dr. Anthony Fauci cautioned against rushing to judgement about the Omicron variant.

"Right now it does not look like there's a big signal of a high degree of severity, but it's too early to tell," said Fauci to Jake Tapper on CNN.

"We really need to wait for them to give us the information," he added, referring to health officials in South Africa. "They have been extremely cooperative and collaborative and transparent with us about what is going on there. Very helpful."

Here's the video of Biden's comments:

Biden Says Country Will Fight Omicron With Vaccines And Boosterswww.youtube.com

The Omicron variant: Should we ACTUALLY panic?



As the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus approaches, it seems like those in power want everyone to be terrified, Glenn Beck argued on the radio program Monday.

The chair of the World Medical Association's Council, Frank Ulrich Montgomery, is already comparing the variant to Ebola and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) has declared a state of emergency, despite the doctor who announced its discovery describing the new variant's symptoms as "unusual, but mild." So, should we really be worried or not?

In this clip, Glenn and producer Stu Burguiere reviewed what we know about the Omicron variant so far and gave a few reasons why we should wait for more information before succumbing to panic.

Note: The content of this clip does not provide medical advice. Please seek the advice of local health officials for any COVID-related questions & concerns.


Want more from Glenn Beck?

To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution and live the American dream.