More omicron detected as hospitals strain under virus surge

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A idiosyncratic takes COVID-19 trial astatine mobile investigating tract adjacent Grand Central Terminal connected Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, successful New York. The omicron variant of COVID-19, which had been undetected successful the U.S. earlier the mediate of this week, had been discovered successful astatine slightest 5 states by the extremity of Thursday, showing yet again however mutations of the microorganism tin circumnavigate the globe with velocity and ease.(AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

New York announced 3 much cases of the omicron variant of the coronavirus Saturday, bringing the fig of authorities cases linked to the caller variant to eight.

“The omicron variant is here, and arsenic anticipated we are seeing the opening of assemblage spread," authorities Health Commissioner Mary Bassett said successful a quality release.

Seven of the cases person been recovered successful New York City and 1 successful Suffolk County.

The accomplishment of omicron comes arsenic hospitals statewide proceed to strain nether a surge successful coronavirus cases, astir traced to the delta variant, on with staffing shortages.

The fig of radical investigating affirmative statewide each time for the microorganism has doubled successful the past 30 days.

Gov. Kathy Hochul successful caller days has authorized the Health Department to bounds nonessential, non-urgent procedures astatine hospitals adjacent to moving retired of beds and deployed National Guard teams to relieve healthcare workers astatine facilities dealing with staffing issues and surging caseloads.

Fifteen members of the National Guard arrived astatine Monroe Community Hospital successful Rochester connected Saturday, WROC reported. Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin said Wednesday the authorities would nonstop 13 National Guard teams to the occidental New York county, wherever County Executive Adam Bello has declared a authorities of emergency.

New York’s omicron cases truthful acold look to beryllium unrelated, Hochul said. One of the known cases progressive a antheral from Minnesota who was among 50,000 radical who attended a three-day anime festival successful New York City successful November. Authorities person urged anyone who attended the league to get tested for COVID-19 and deterioration a disguise successful public.

Much remains chartless astir omicron, including whether it is much contagious, arsenic immoderate wellness authorities suspect, whether it tin thwart vaccines and whether it makes radical arsenic sick arsenic the archetypal strain.

The variant has been detected successful a fistful of states truthful far, including Nebraska, Minnesota, California, Hawaii, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Utah, Missouri, New Jersey and Georgia.

“We knew the omicron variant was coming and we expect to spot much cases. But fto maine beryllium clear: We are not defenseless,” Hochul said. “We person the tools to assistance forestall the dispersed of this deadly virus: Get your vaccine, get your booster, and deterioration your mask."

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