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Second U.S. case of COVID Omicron strain detected in Minnesota
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FILE PIC: The second case of the Omicron coronavirus variant in the United States has been identified in Minnesota, according to a statement from state health officials. /VCG

FILE PIC: The second case of the Omicron coronavirus variant in the United States has been identified in Minnesota, according to a statement from state health officials. /VCG

The second case of the Omicron coronavirus variant in the United States has been identified in Minnesota, according to a statement from state health officials.

The state's Public Health Laboratory found the variant in a specimen from a Minnesota resident with recent travel history to New York City.

The person with the Omicron variant is an adult male, is a resident of Hennepin County and had been vaccinated, according to officials.

The person developed mild symptoms on Nov. 22 and got tested on Nov. 24. They had traveled to New York City and attended the Anime NYC 2021 convention at the Javits Center from Nov. 19-21.

Health officials expect to find more cases of the variant as genetic sequencing continues around the country. The United States' first infection was detected in California on Wednesday. 

Since the World Health Organization designated Omicron a variant of concern, health officials have made clear they expect to find cases in the United States. However, the Delta variant of the coronavirus remains the dominant variant globally and in the United States.

Minnesota epidemiologists said they will continue to investigate and collaborate with New York City researchers and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Having a robust virus surveillance system in place allowed MDH to quickly identify Omicron once it entered the state and made it more likely that Minnesota would be among the first states to find the variant," according to the statement.

Minnesota health officials continue to encourage residents to get vaccinated and get their booster shots, as well as practice social distancing, head-washing and mask-wearing.

(With input from agencies)

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