Five cases of Omicron variant found in New York

The Omicron COVID-19 variant has been detected in New York City, officials revealed. At least five cases were identified, with the city’s Health Commissioner David Chokshi stating that “this is not just people who are traveling to Southern Africa or to other parts of the world where omicron has already been identified.”

However, Chokshi added the situation is “still a public health crisis, but does not have to be a crisis that leads to shutdown” as New York is “in a far better place” than earlier in the pandemic. Omicron cases have also been found in California, Minnesota, Colorado and Hawaii.