The first confirmed case of the omicron variant of coronavirus has been identified in Texas: the patient is a Houston-area woman in her 40s who has not traveled outside the country, the Associated Press reports.
“It’s normal for viruses to mutate, and given how quickly omicron spread in southern Africa, we’re not surprised that it showed up here,” Dr. John Hellerstedt, a DSHS commissioner, said. “Getting vaccinated and continuing to use prevention strategies, including wearing a mask when you are around people you don’t live with, social distancing, handwashing and getting tested when you have symptoms, will help slow the spread of the virus and help end the pandemic.”
Neither Republican Governor Greg Abbott or his staff returned calls to the AP for comment.