No cases of the omicron variant of COVID-19 have yet been detected in Alaska, according to the Department of Health and Social Services, but the agency is monitoring the situation closely.<\/p>\n
In a news conference Monday afternoon, Alaska’s health experts told reporters not a lot is known about the omicron variant first identified in South Africa, but international agencies are sharing information as rapidly as possible. Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, said experts were trying to reserve judgment until more information is available.<\/p>\n
“Much more is not known about this virus than what is known,” Zink said.<\/p>\n
The virus was first identified in South Africa, Zink said, which quickly responded to the new strain and began sharing its information internationally. Zink specifically thanked South African health agencies and several times mentioned an unprecedented amount of international collaboration among health experts.<\/p>\n
Still, many world leaders acted quickly over the weekend to restrict travel from several southern African nations, according to the Associated Press. The omicron variant has been detected in Canada, AP reported, and at the White House President Joe Biden said the variant will inevitably come to the U.S.. The variant was a cause for concern, Biden said, but not for panic. Several countries — including the U.S. — have restricted travel from several southern African nations where omicron is believed to have originated, AP reported, but data on the variant is still sparse.<\/p>\n
Alaska’s chief epidemiologist Dr. Joe McLaughlin said South Africa has reported an increase in the number of cases, but not in the number of hospitalizations and deaths. Early data out of South Africa indicates the variant is very transmissible, Zink said, and seems to be infecting both vaccinated and previously infected people.<\/p>\n
However, Zink said, much more is known about COVID-19 and scientists around the globe are sharing data. Most of the available testing techniques appear to be able to detect the variant according to Zink, and vaccines may provide additional resistance to the disease if not full immunity.<\/p>\n
The World Health Organization called the variant<\/a> a very high risk but national leaders urged calm and cooperation, AP reported. Several nations have imposed travel restrictions, despite opposition from the WHO, which according to AP has noted border closings often have limited effect and can wreak havoc on lives and livelihoods.<\/p>\n