COVID-19: New variant omicron leads to upcoming travel restrictions
South African scientists identified a new version of the coronavirus this week that they say is behind a recent spike in COVID-19 infections in Gauteng, the country's most populous province.
It's unclear where the new variant actually arose, but it was first detected by scientists in South Africa and has now been seen in travelers to Belgium, Botswana, Hong Kong and Israel.
South African Health Minister Joe Phaahla said the variant was linked to an "exponential rise" of cases in the last few days, although experts are still trying to determine if the new variant, named B.1.1.529, is actually responsible.
From just over 200 new confirmed cases per day in recent weeks, South Africa saw the number of new daily cases rocket to 2,465 on Thursday. Struggling to explain the sudden rise in cases, scientists studied virus samples from the outbreak and discovered the new variant.
In a statement on Friday, the World Health Organization designated it as a "variant of concern," naming it "omicron" after a letter in the Greek alphabet.
Scientists know that the new variant is genetically distinct from previous variants including the beta and delta variants, but do not know if these genetic changes make it any more transmissible or dangerous. So far, there is no indication the variant causes more severe disease.
It will likely take weeks to sort out if the new variant is more infectious and if vaccines are still effective against it.
Even though some of the genetic changes in the new variant appear worrying, it's still unclear if they will pose a public health threat. Some previous variants, like the beta variant, initially alarmed scientists but didn't end up spreading very far.
The United States on Friday joined the European Union and several other countries in instituting travel restrictions on visitors from southern Africa.
The White House said the U.S. will restrict travel from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi beginning Monday. It did not give details except to say the restrictions will not apply to returning U.S. citizens or permanent residents, who will continue to be required to test negative before their travel.
As of noon Friday, travelers arriving in the U.K. from South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini and Zimbabwe will have to self-isolate for 10 days. European Union nations also moved quickly on Friday to try to stop air travel from southern Africa.
Local COVID-19 numbers
Riverside County added 1,276 new COVID-19 cases this week, but numbers were only updated on Monday and Wednesday due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
On Wednesday, the county's case rate was 13.9 per 100,000 and its positivity rate was 4.7%. Both numbers decreased from Monday's — 14.5 per 100,000 and 4.9%.
Riverside County has a "substantial" community transmission rate, which is defined as having 50 to 99 cumulative cases per 100,000 in the past seven days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID Data Tracker.
The Palm Springs Unified School District reported that 18 students and four staff members have current positive tests for COVID-19. There are five cases at Cathedral City High School, the most in the district as of Friday.
The Desert Sands Unified School District reported 26 students and nine staff members have tested positive for COVID-19. George Washington Charter School reported four active cases among students and staff, the most of any school in the district as of Friday.
The Coachella Valley Unified School District on Friday reported a total of six active COVID-19 cases among students and two among staff. Cesar Chavez Elementary and Coachella Valley High schools each reported two cases, according to the district.
County hospitalizations increased again, going from 233 on Monday to 243 on Wednesday. That includes 60 individuals in intensive care, an increase of three since Monday.
There were 51 deaths reported on Wednesday, bringing the total to 5,423 since the beginning of the pandemic.
In Riverside County, 56% of residents ages 5 and older are fully vaccinated while another 6.7% are partially vaccinated. There have been 234,977 additional/booster shots administered.
Associated Press' Maria Cheng contributed to this report.
Ema Sasic covers health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: US to restrict travel from eight countries due to new COVID variant
