The specimen was sequenced by the New Jersey Department of Health laboratory to confirm that it was the Omicron variety, which was originally found late last month in South Africa and has quickly spread throughout the world.
It has subsequently been found in more than 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America, prompting the United States and other countries to impose travel restrictions that experts warn were likely too late to prevent the virus from spreading.
"The fight against COVID-19 is not over," Persichilli said in a statement, citing an increase in cases and the discovery of the Omicron in the state. "We're still learning about the Omicron strain, but we have tools to block the virus from spreading, the most essential of which is getting vaccinated and getting a booster shot." The public should continue to wear masks, get tested if they have symptoms, keep a safe distance from others, avoid crowded gatherings, stay at home while unwell, and wash their hands frequently."
This week, the first omicron case in the United States was discovered in California. It has now been found in Colorado, Hawaii, Minnesota, New York, and Pennsylvania, including one instance involving a guy who attended a huge anime convention in New York City in late November and tested positive for the strain when he returned to Minnesota.
