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More cases of omicron variant detected across five states

Key updates
New York confirms 5 cases of omicron, now detected in five states
Travelers to U.S. must be tested within one day of global departure, starting Dec. 6
White House says ‘nothing is off the table,' including vaccine requirement for domestic air travel
Across New York City and the nation, officials are encouraging people to get either a coronavirus vaccine or a booster shot, especially with the newly discovered omicron variant emerging in countries around the world. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
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Updated December 2, 2021 at 11:00 p.m. EST|Published December 2, 2021 at 3:07 a.m. EST

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Nearly a dozen cases of the omicron coronavirus variant have now been detected around the United States, with many of them confirmed in New York on Thursday.

New York and Hawaii are the latest to announce infections, and officials in both states said there is evidence of “community spread.” Cases have also been detected in California, Minnesota and Colorado. The Minnesota patient recently attended a New York City convention that drew thousands of people.

Health officials have been bracing to discover more infections since the first reported U.S. case was announced Wednesday.

“This is not a cause for major alarm,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said at a news conference, urging people to wear masks, get vaccinated and get booster shots.  
New York confirms 5 cases of omicron, now detected in five states
Travelers to U.S. must be tested within one day of global departure, starting Dec. 6
White House says ‘nothing is off the table,' including vaccine requirement for domestic air travel

Here’s what to know

  • White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Thursday that “nothing is off the table” when it comes to controlling the virus’s spread.
  • Many vaccination and booster shot combinations appear likely to protect against covid-19, but Pfizer’s and Moderna’s shots may work best, according to a new study.
  • People will be required to wear masks on airplanes, trains, buses and other transportation through March 18, according to senior Biden administration officials.
  • All international travelers must take a coronavirus test one day before their flight to the United States, starting Dec. 6.
  • Anthony S. Fauci, the United States’ top infectious-disease expert, said the Biden administration is preparing for a possible “variant-specific boost” of vaccinations.
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Here's what to know:

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Thursday that “nothing is off the table” when it comes to controlling the virus’s spread.
Many vaccination and booster shot combinations appear likely to protect against covid-19, but Pfizer’s and Moderna’s shots may work best, according to a new study.
People will be required to wear masks on airplanes, trains, buses and other transportation through March 18, according to senior Biden administration officials.
All international travelers must take a coronavirus test one day before their flight to the United States, starting Dec. 6.
Anthony S. Fauci, the United States’ top infectious-disease expert, said the Biden administration is preparing for a possible “variant-specific boost” of vaccinations.

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Coronavirus: What you need to know

Where do things stand? See the latest covid numbers in the U.S. and across the world. In the U.S., pandemic trends have shifted and now White people are more likely to die from covid than Black people.

The state of public health: Conservative and libertarian forces have defanged much of the nation’s public health system through legislation and litigation as the world staggers into the fourth year of covid.

Grief and the pandemic: A Washington Post reporter covered the coronavirus — and then endured the death of her mother from covid-19. She offers a window into grief and resilience.

Would we shut down again? What will the United States do the next time a deadly virus comes knocking on the door?

Vaccines: The CDC recommends that everyone age 5 and older get an updated covid booster shot. New federal data shows adults who received the updated shots cut their risk of being hospitalized with covid-19 by 50 percent. Here’s guidance on when you should get the omicron booster and how vaccine efficacy could be affected by your prior infections.

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