First presumed omicron variant COVID-19 case found in Missouri; Delta remains prominent strain

The first presumed positive case of the new COVID-19 omicron variant has been identified in Missouri, the Department of Health and Senior Services said Friday.

Omicron, which has been labeled a variant of concern by the World Health Organization, has been identified in several countries around the world and in several U.S. states in recent days. Much is still unknown about the new variant, including whether it is more transmissible than other variants, how severe disease resulting from infection can be or the efficacy of existing vaccines against the strain.

“Although there is much we still need to learn about this new variant, we do know the best tool currently available to protect ourselves from COVID-19 is personal prevention," said Donald Kauerauf, director of the Department of Health and Senior Services, in a statement. "I urge Missourians to seek information on the omicron variant from DHSS and trusted medical sources opposed to social media. We also encourage Missourians to remain vigilant in protecting themselves and staying informed this holiday season as this new variant is investigated further.”

The Delta variant remains the dominant strain of COVID-19 in the U.S. and Missouri, representing more than 99 percent of current cases, Kauerauf said. Delta was responsible for an outbreak this summer that saw the Show-Me State's highest spike in cases since the early days of the pandemic. 

More:How serious is omicron? It will take weeks to understand new coronavirus variant, experts say.

Kauerauf urged Missourians to complete their original vaccination series and receive a booster shot if they have not already.

The state was notified by "public health partners" of a sample presumed positive of the new variant from a St. Louis City resident who had recently traveled domestically, the department said. Missouri is awaiting confirmation of the results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Missouri has reported 10,449 positive cases of COVID-19 over the last week, according to state data; 51.6 percent of the population has completed an original vaccination series.

What is omicron?

The World Health Organization designated the B.1.1.529 variant a “variant of concern” Friday and named it omicron after the 15th letter of the Greek alphabet.

WHO uses the Greek alphabet as a variant classification system to simplify understanding and avoid stigmatizing countries where they’re first identified.

Omicron, which can be pronounced both ä-mə-ˌkrän or ō-ˈmī-(ˌ)krän, according to Merriam-Webster, was first identified in South Africa last week. The U.S. began restricting travel from South Africa and several other countries Monday due to the latest “variant of concern.”

More:What are omicron variant symptoms? Everything to know about the latest coronavirus strain.

What are the symptoms?

WHO says there’s no evidence to suggest that symptoms linked to omicron are different from those caused by other variants.

Dr. Angelique Coetzee, a private practitioner and chair of South African Medical Association, was one of the first doctors in South Africa to detect the new variant.

She told Reuters symptoms of the omicron variant were "very mild" and could be treated at home. These infections were first reported in university students who were younger and tended to have milder disease.

But like all coronavirus variants, WHO said, omicron may be capable of causing severe disease or death, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Symptoms of COVID-19 caused by any known coronavirus variant can include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, a loss of taste or smell, sore and congestion or runny nose.

Where was first case of omicron in the United States?

A person in California became the first in the U.S. to have an identified case of the COVID-19 omicron variant, the White House announced Wednesday as scientists continue to study the risks posed by the new strain of the virus.

“This is the first case of COVID-19 caused by the omicron variant detected in the United States,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said at the White House. He said the person was a traveler who returned from South Africa on Nov. 22 and tested positive on Nov. 29.

President Joe Biden has tried to quell alarm over the omicron variant, saying it was a cause for concern but “not a cause for panic.”

Biden and public health officials have grown more urgent in their pleas for more Americans to get vaccinated — and for those who have been vaccinated to get booster shots to maximize their protection against the virus.

Galen Bacharier covers Missouri politics & government for the News-Leader. Contact him at gbacharier@news-leader.com, (573) 219-7440 or on Twitter @galenbacharier.