Sheridan cases, omicron reaches U.S.

Sheridan County added another 14 lab confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours to the 4,433 lab confirmed cases experienced in the county since the pandemic began. 

The county also added seven probable cases in 24 hours. That number is now 1,372 probable cases since the beginning of the pandemic. 

Currently there are 105 active cases in the Sheridan County community. 

Seven patients are currently hospitalized battling the virus. Sheridan County has experienced the deaths of 57 residents from COVID-19. 

The Associated Press reports that the U.S. recorded its first confirmed case of the omicron variant Wednesday — a person in California who had been to South Africa — as scientists around the world raced to establish whether the new, mutated version of the coronavirus is more dangerous than previous ones.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the United States’ top infectious disease expert, made the announcement at the White House.

“We knew it was just a matter of time before the first case of omicron would be detected in the United States,” he said.

The infected person was identified as a traveler who had returned from South Africa on Nov. 22. The person, who was fully vaccinated but had not had a booster shot, tested positive on Monday and had mild symptoms that are improving, officials said.

The AP reports that Fauci and other medical experts strongly emphasized that Americans should continue to get vaccinated and get their booster shots. The vaccine has been proven to reduce the risk of severe illness and death, and according to Fauci, it is reasonable to believe it will offer protection against the omicron variant.

The mild nature of the California person’s infection “is a testimony to the importance of the vaccinations,” California Health Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said.

All the individual’s close contacts have been reached and have tested negative, according to officials. The patient, who agreed to remain in quarantine, was identified only as being between 18 and 49.