1st confirmed case of omicron COVID-19 variant confirmed on Long Island

The 67-year-old woman from Suffolk recently traveled from South Africa and was at least partially vaccinated when she tested positive on Tuesday.

News 12 Staff

Dec 3, 2021, 3:21 AM

Updated 894 days ago

Share:

The first case of the omicron variant on Long Island was confirmed out of a lab in Suffolk County.
The 67-year-old woman from Suffolk recently traveled from South Africa and was at least partially vaccinated when she tested positive on Tuesday.
"There is some vaccination history," says Gov. Kathy Hochul. "We don't know if it's one vaccination, two or a booster shot."
The patient had mild symptoms of a headache and cough.
Another four cases in New York came from New York City. Their vaccination statuses are unknown.
A Minnesota man who recently attended a convention at the Javits Center in Manhattan also tested positive for the variant.
Dr. Sharon Nachman, of Stony Brook Medicine, says vaccination and isolation is the way to stop the variant from getting further spread into the community.
She says it's time to get a booster or vaccinated as scientists work learn to more about omicron.
"We should be concerned about every variant," Nachman. "We learned a lot about delta, how infectious it is. It looks like this new variant will be as infectious. We have not seen that it is more deadly."
Health experts are urging people to get their boosters and go back to wearing masks at indoor public places.


More from News 12
1:46
Prosecutors: Costco parking lot panhandling pusher has multiple felony, misdemeanor convictions

Prosecutors: Costco parking lot panhandling pusher has multiple felony, misdemeanor convictions

1:58
Showers continue through Thursday; Dryer weekend ahead

Showers continue through Thursday; Dryer weekend ahead

0:31
Crash on Merrick Road sends one car into restaurant storefront

Crash on Merrick Road sends one car into restaurant storefront

1:45
31 HS seniors from 7 LI schools honored for commitment to join armed forces

31 HS seniors from 7 LI schools honored for commitment to join armed forces

0:21
Car left wrapped around tree in crash on Meadowbrook Parkway

Car left wrapped around tree in crash on Meadowbrook Parkway

0:39
Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital launches new service to treat epilepsy

Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital launches new service to treat epilepsy

1:46
Elite athletes check out new cricket stadium in East Meadow ahead of 2024 Cricket World Cup

Elite athletes check out new cricket stadium in East Meadow ahead of 2024 Cricket World Cup

2:05
10 Long Island school districts receiving state grants to expand pre-K programs

10 Long Island school districts receiving state grants to expand pre-K programs

2:00
Residents voice concerns over new parking lot proposed for Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital

Residents voice concerns over new parking lot proposed for Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital

1:01
New York Racing Association gives overview of $455M modernization of Belmont Park

New York Racing Association gives overview of $455M modernization of Belmont Park

0:50
Wife, daughter of former mob boss John Gotti Jr. reject second plea deal in basketball game fight case

Wife, daughter of former mob boss John Gotti Jr. reject second plea deal in basketball game fight case

0:54
Police: East Patchogue man arrested for assaulting elderly man in Commack parking lot

Police: East Patchogue man arrested for assaulting elderly man in Commack parking lot

1:53
Public hearing today on new 152-spot parking lot at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital

Public hearing today on new 152-spot parking lot at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital

0:25
Police: 1 person dead following Flanders crash

Police: 1 person dead following Flanders crash

0:15
Police: Man wanted for stealing $1,300 worth of sunglasses from Smith Haven Mall

Police: Man wanted for stealing $1,300 worth of sunglasses from Smith Haven Mall

0:41
Gov. Hochul: Paid prenatal leave policy to go into effect in 2025

Gov. Hochul: Paid prenatal leave policy to go into effect in 2025

2:10
Garden Guide: Follow these tips for perfect azaleas!

Garden Guide: Follow these tips for perfect azaleas!

1:48
What's Cooking: Uncle Giuseppe's Roasted Pork Broccoli Rabe and Sharp Provolone Hero

What's Cooking: Uncle Giuseppe's Roasted Pork Broccoli Rabe and Sharp Provolone Hero

2:13
State DEC: Additional chemical drums found at Bethpage Community Park

State DEC: Additional chemical drums found at Bethpage Community Park

1:10
Nassau Community College Board of Trustees approves new budget

Nassau Community College Board of Trustees approves new budget