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 882 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
2:05
Aftermath of deadly house explosion in South River shows home blown into pieces

Aftermath of deadly house explosion in South River shows home blown into pieces

2:03
Cooler temps today in the 60s for New Jersey ahead of some wet weather this weekend

Cooler temps today in the 60s for New Jersey ahead of some wet weather this weekend

1:12
Several house fires break out Thursday in New Jersey; 1 man dead

Several house fires break out Thursday in New Jersey; 1 man dead

0:18
South Brunswick police searching for missing man last seen on Route 1

South Brunswick police searching for missing man last seen on Route 1

1:20
Pro-Palestinian protest that postponed final exams at Rutgers ends peacefully

Pro-Palestinian protest that postponed final exams at Rutgers ends peacefully

0:36
Jersey Proud: Police officers gather for town cleanup in memory of fallen officer

Jersey Proud: Police officers gather for town cleanup in memory of fallen officer

0:23
South Orange woman indicted for stealing over $1 million federal benefits intended for dead aunt

South Orange woman indicted for stealing over $1 million federal benefits intended for dead aunt

0:33
Experts fear 'catastrophic' college declines thanks to botched FAFSA rollout

Experts fear 'catastrophic' college declines thanks to botched FAFSA rollout

2:44
Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

1:26
Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

Traffic Alert: I-95 closed until at least Monday in Norwalk. Here's how the tanker fire is affecting the area.

Traffic Alert: I-95 closed until at least Monday in Norwalk. Here's how the tanker fire is affecting the area.

Knicks advance to the Eastern Conference semis, topping 76ers 118-115 in Game 6

Knicks advance to the Eastern Conference semis, topping 76ers 118-115 in Game 6

2:17
Bound Brook starts Lithium Ion Identification Program to help firefighters identify risks

Bound Brook starts Lithium Ion Identification Program to help firefighters identify risks

0:57
Funeral services held in Newark for Rep. Donald Payne, Jr.

Funeral services held in Newark for Rep. Donald Payne, Jr.

0:22
Prosecutor: 61-year-old man dies in Jersey City high-rise fire

Prosecutor: 61-year-old man dies in Jersey City high-rise fire

NJ Transit teams with BetMGM to provide rail service to MetLife Stadium concerts

NJ Transit teams with BetMGM to provide rail service to MetLife Stadium concerts

0:46
Car crashes into Hasbrouck Heights apartment building; residents evacuate

Car crashes into Hasbrouck Heights apartment building; residents evacuate

Biden says 'order must prevail' during campus protests over Gaza

Biden says 'order must prevail' during campus protests over Gaza

2:13
Police: Explosion, fire at Old Bridge business kills 73-year-old woman, severely injures 4 others

Police: Explosion, fire at Old Bridge business kills 73-year-old woman, severely injures 4 others