Thursday, the Center for Disease Control announced that three cases of the new coronavirus variant named “Omicron” were detected in the United States. However, it does not seem to be too alarming to many people in Marion County.
Two of the three cases were detected in the western portion of the country, one in California and one in Colorado. Both involved people who have recently traveled from South Africa, the hot spot of the variant. However, the third person, a man from Minnesota, had not traveled outside the country, but he did attend a convention in New York City. It is believed he contracted the virus there, according to NBC News.
The good news is all three have mild cases and were expected to pull through.
People in Marion County on Thursday expressed their opinions.
Chancery Clerk Elisha Moree said she would watch to see how things develop with the new variant and any new potential side effects that may come with it before getting too worried.
Kim Raynes said she was not very concerned about it at all.
Tamara Lewis said, "Oh my gosh. It is going to be a mess."
Jackie Aaron, though, admits she is very concerned. She has lost close family members to the coronavirus, so it is something she is taking seriously. She said she will be paying very close attention and taking the necessary precautions.
The South African doctor, who first detected the variant, said so far everyone who has contracted the variant has had mild symptoms that he knows of, according to Fox News.
However, all three of the victims have been vaccinated, which may have played a factor in the cases being considered mild.
