"Omicron" will extend the mask order when entering the United States

Original title: "Omicron" entering the United States will extend the mask order again

In California, passengers taking public transport need to wear masks for picture / visual reference
The United States Centers for Disease Control and prevention announced on the 1 day that it had identified the first case of COVID-19 infection in the country. U.S. government sources told reporters that the United States will announce another extension of the public transport "mask order" until March 18 next year.
CDC urges people
Step up vaccination and booster shots
The CDC said in a press release that a person infected with the Omicron strain returned to San Francisco, California, from South Africa on November 22. His symptoms were mild and improving. The infected person is self isolating, and so far the new crown test results of his close contacts are negative. San Francisco health officials confirmed that the patient was tested positive for Xinguan on November 29 and had been vaccinated with two doses of Modena vaccine, but did not receive booster shots.
California governor Newsom said on the 1st that the state's virus detection and monitoring system helped to find cases of infection with the Omicron virus, which may already exist in other states in the United States. He called on the public to remain vigilant against the Omicron strain, but there was no need to panic.
California has a population of about 40 million. It is the most populous state in the United States. It has been seriously hit by COVID-19. Up to now, more than 4 million 800 thousand newly diagnosed cases have been confirmed, and more than 73 thousand and 700 cases have died. The CDC said it would closely monitor and actively respond to the Omicron strain, and urged the people to abide by various epidemic prevention regulations, step up the vaccination of the new crown vaccine and strengthen the injection.
Public transport "mask order"
Extended to March 18 next year
The United States Centers for Disease Control and prevention reported in December 1st the first case of variation in the COVID-19 strain of the drug. U.S. government sources told reporters that the United States will announce another extension of the public transport "mask order" until March 18 next year. The above infected persons returned to San Francisco, California from South Africa on November 22 and received two doses of new crown vaccine.
Reuters quoted sources as saying that the US government is expected to officially announce the extension of the "mask order" on the 2nd. Relevant government agencies have informed industry personnel of this adjustment later on the 1st.
The current "mask order" was promulgated after Joseph Biden became president in January, requiring passengers to wear masks while waiting for and taking public transport such as buses, trains, subways, planes, ships and taxis. This provision was originally scheduled to last until September 13, and was later extended by the transport safety bureau from August to January 18 next year. The FAA has called for "zero tolerance" for uncooperative passengers.
White House discusses strengthening immigration
Virus detection and other epidemic prevention measures
According to Reuters, the White House is still discussing epidemic prevention measures such as strengthening virus detection among immigrants.
At present, the US government has allowed the foreign passengers who have been vaccinated by the WHO's newly approved crown vaccine for the first time in international flights to enter the international flights. However, they are required to produce proof of vaccination and check the negative evidence in COVID-19 within 72 hours before departure.
On November 24, South Africa reported the discovery of Omicron strain to who for the first time. The United States has banned nearly 14 foreign tourists staying in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi for the past two days, and warned Americans to avoid going to the eight countries.
Epidemic situation in South Africa
On December 1, the number of newly confirmed cases nearly doubled compared with the previous day
Data from the National Institute of infectious diseases of South Africa showed that 8561 new confirmed cases were added in South Africa on the same day, nearly double the previous day.
Data showed that in the past 24 hours, 51977 people in South Africa were tested by COVID-19, and 8561 new confirmed cases were detected. The positive rate of detection was 16.5%. South Africa reported 4373 new cases the day before.
Richard lessels, an infectious disease scientist at KwaZulu Natal University in South Africa, said it was not clear whether the surge in cases was necessarily related to the Omicron variant strain, but Omicron "is rapidly becoming the main variant strain in South Africa". Other experts said that it was not certain whether Omicron was the cause of the surge in cases in South Africa, but it was "very likely".
Lessels and other scientists say the surge in new cases is pushing South Africa to a fourth wave.
According to lessels, the number of hospitalizations in South Africa is increasing, and the impact of the Omicron strain will be prominent in the coming weeks. Vaccination, wearing masks and keeping social distance are still the most effective ways to prevent and control the mutant strain, he said.
The number of newly confirmed cases in South Africa may increase significantly, and the increasing number of cases may rise to "double or triple" before, said nikxi gumed mulezi, a virologist at the World Health Organization's regional office for Africa.
For the first time in November 9th, South Africa discovered COVID-19 variant B.1.1.529 from a sample of cases and reported it to the World Health Organization on the same day 24. Who named the strain Omicron on November 26.
This group / Xinhua News Agency