Omicron Variant Case Confirmed In Georgia Resident

GEORGIA — The first Omicron variant case has been confirmed in a Georgia woman who is currently in New Jersey after traveling to the U.S. from South Africa, the Georgia Department of Public Health said Friday evening.

The Georgian has tested positive for COVID-19 and the omicron variant. The woman was in Georgia for two days before going on to New Jersey, where the testing and sequencing were done.

Health officials said the individual is fully vaccinated, and is isolating in New Jersey. Contact tracing is underway there and in Georgia to identify close contacts at risk of infection. So far, no additional omicron cases in Georgia have been identified.

“Vaccination and boosters are key to preventing further transmission of COVID-19 and help prevent new variants like Omicron from emerging,” said Dr. Kathleen E. Toomey, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health. “Only 51 percent of Georgians are fully vaccinated and of those individuals less than 20 percent have received booster doses.”

Studies show after getting vaccinated against COVID-19, protection against the virus and the ability to prevent infection with variants may decrease over time, Georgia health officials said. Early data from South Africa suggest increased transmissibility of the omicron variant, and scientists in the United States and around the world are examining vaccine effectiveness related to this variant.

The New Jersey Department of Health identified the COVID-19 omicron variant (B.1.1.529) in the Georgia resident, officials said.

The Omicron variant was first identified last week in South Africa. Since then, clusters of cases were also identified in about two dozen nations, including Canada and several countries in Europe.

The first case of the omicron variant in the United States was reported in California on Wednesday, and was someone who had been vaccinated but had not gotten a booster shot. Omicron cases have since been confirmed in Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Colorado, New York, New Jersey and Maryland.

Since testing positive on Nov. 28, the woman has remained in isolation. She experienced moderate symptoms and is recovering after receiving care in a North Jersey emergency department, officials said.

All Georgians over age 5 are eligible for COVID vaccination. Booster doses of vaccine are recommended for adults 18 and older who completed their first series of vaccine at least six months ago.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control also recommends general prevention measures such as wearing a mask in public settings, staying 6 feet from others, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, and frequently washing your hands to protect against COVID-19.

Individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19 or who may have been exposed to someone with COVID should get tested, state health officials said in their release.

To find a COVID vaccine or COVID testing location near you log on to dph.ga.gov.

"This variant is a cause for concern, not a cause for panic," President Joseph Biden said earlier this week.

Federal and state officials are promoting boosters for those who have already been vaccinated against COVID-19.