Biden Updates COVID-19: Omicron In US Inevitable

"Sooner or later, we're going to see cases of this new variant here in the United States," Biden said in a White House news briefing. "We'll have to face this new threat, just as we faced those that have come before. . . This variant is a cause for concern, not a cause for panic."

The president's remarks came as travel restrictions he had called for on Friday were to take effect for non-citizens entering the United States from South Africa, where the omicron variant was first detected, as well as the African countries of Botswana, Zim

babwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi.

Biden announced the restrictions after the WHO on Friday designated the new version of the virus, B.1.1.529 now named omicron, a "variant of concern" because of "several mutations that may have an impact on how it behaves, for example, on how easily it spreads or the severity of illness it causes."

The WHO said Sunday that "it is not yet clear whether omicron is more transmissible compared to other variants," including the now globally dominant delta that caused a surge of cases across the U.S. over the summer. Also unclear is "whether infection with omicron causes more severe disease compared to delta or other variants. Preliminary data in South Africa suggest rising hospitalizations from omicron but whether that's just from more people becoming infected isn't known.

On Sunday, California Public Health Officer Dr. Tomás J. Aragón said the state is "closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation related to the new variant of concern," and noted the omicron variant "has not yet arrived in California or the U.S."

Aragón said "vaccines continue to be our best way through the pandemic." Travelers who have been in South Africa and the seven other countries within the last 14 days must follow CDC recommendations to get tested 3-5 days after arrival, quarantine for 7 days even if the test is negative, and isolate for 10 days if COVID-19 symptoms develop.

Dr. Bob Wachter at the University of California-San Francisco said more will be known in two to three weeks, but until then people should get vaccinated, get a booster and "get prepared mentally to act more cautiously if omicron proves to be more infectious, immune-evasive, or both."

Biden said his administration will "with scientific and knowledgeable actions and speed, not chaos and confusion." He said he's not seeing a need for new lockdowns, but advised that people wear masks indoors in crowded settings.

"We have more tools to fight this variant than ever before," Biden said.

Dr. Anthony Fauci said Monday air travelers to the U.S. already have to be tested for the virus before they leave and show proof of vaccination. He said the molecular PCR tests mostly used in the U.S. "pick up this very unusual variant that has a real large constellation of mutations," so its arrival would be found quickly.

Though it remains unclear how effective the vaccines authorized in the U.S. by Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson will be against the omicron variant, Biden said the vaccines remain the best protection. He urged everyone 5 and older to get the shots, and those 18 and older to get an additional booster dose.

The vaccines remain free and are authorized for people age 5 and up. Boosters are available for all adults 18 and older, either six months after their last Pfizer or Moderna shot or two months after their Johnson & Johnson shot. The booster does not have to be the same brand as the initial vaccination.

"A fully vaccinated booster person is the most protected against COVID," Biden said. "Do not wait. Go get your booster if it's time for you to do so. And if you are not vaccinated, now is the time to get vaccinated and take your children to be vaccinated."

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky on Monday strengthened the agency's booster recommendation, saying all adults "should" get the extra shot if six months past their last Pfizer or Moderna dose or two months since their Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Biden also said that while it will "be a few weeks" before it becomes clear how well the vaccines protect against new variant, in the event updated vaccinations or boosters are needed against the new variant, "we will accelerate their development and deployment with every available tool."

Biden said he's asked the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to "to use the fastest process available without cutting any corners for safety" to update vaccines if necessary.

Biden, who had criticized former President Donald Trump's restrictions on travel from China and other countries early in the pandemic in 2020, defended his call for them Monday. In a Feb. 1, 2020 tweet after Trump restricted travel from China where the pandemic had originated in late 2019, Biden said on Twitter that "we need to lead the way with science - not Donald Trump's record of hysteria, xenophobia, and fear-mongering."

On March 12, 2020, after restrictions on travel from Europe, Biden said it "will not stop" the virus and "we need a plan to combat it."

In response to questions about Monday's travel restrictions, Biden said he did not think the travel restrictions would discourage countries from reporting new variants.

"The reason for the immediate travel ban is there were a significant number of cases unlike any other country in the world, or a few around South Africa, in the world," Biden said. "We needed time to give people an opportunity to say, ‘get that vaccination now' before it heads - it's going to move around the world. I think it's almost inevitable there will be at some point that strain here in the United States. . . the point of the travel restriction to give us time to get people to get protection."