Concerns over the effects of the new variant of concern – Omicron - increased after the first case of the variant was reported in the United States.

The first case of Omicron reported in the U.S. is in a fully vaccinated individual in California who returned from South Africa on November 22 and tested positive after seven days. 

U.S. President Joe Biden is working on the strategy to fight COVID-19. Airlines have been told to provide the names of passengers arriving from parts of southern Africa which have been affected by Omicron, according to a letter by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It is expected that more stringent testing rules will be announced for international visitors… (Reuters, December 2, 2021)