Doctor Anthony Fauci had warned: it was only a matter of time.
A first case of the Omicron variant has been confirmed in the United States in an individual returning from South Africa, US health authorities announced on Wednesday.
This person tested positive in California, the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) said in a statement.
She was "fully vaccinated and had mild symptoms that were improving," they added.
“Everyone in close contact (with this person) has since tested negative.
The individual who tested positive had returned from South Africa on November 22.
Eight blacklisted countries
The Omicron variant of the coronavirus was classified as "of concern" by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday.
It has already been detected in around 20 countries, having first been identified in South Africa.
Washington has already banned entry into the United States to people from eight countries in southern Africa.
All foreign adults entering the United States must be vaccinated but also have tested negative within three days before flying.
Americans returning from abroad must also be tested, three days or one day before their departure depending on their immunization status.
The US government wants to reduce the deadline to one day for everyone.
Omicron worries experts because it has many mutations that are likely to make it more contagious or more resistant to the immunity conferred by vaccines.
Studies are underway to determine if this is indeed the case, and to what extent, but the first results should only be available in the coming weeks.
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