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First omicron variant case found in Massachusetts
Telegram & Gazette - 12/5/2021
BOSTON — The first case of the COVID-19 omicron variant has been identified in Massachusetts, the state Department of Public Health announced late Saturday.
The patient has been identified as a woman in her 20s who is fully vaccinated and a resident of Middlesex Countywho traveled out of state.
She has experienced mild symptoms and did not require hospitalization. The variant was identified through sequencing performed at New England Biolabs.
Scientists are still comparing the omicron variant with the predominant delta variant on transmissibility and disease severity, while omicron is classified as a variant of concern by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.
Some limited evidence shows that omicron could be more transmissible than other COVID-19 virus variants including delta.
All three COVID-19 vaccines in use in the U.S — Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson — have been confirmed to be highly protective against severe disease resulting in hospitalization or death due to known COVID-19 variants.
There are over 1,000 locations across the commonwealth to get vaccinated or receive a booster. No fee, ID or insurance is required for vaccination.
For a list of vaccination locations, go to vaxfinder.mass.gov.
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