New York Governor Declares State of Emergency, Warns Omicron Variant Is ‘Coming’

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency on Friday forward of potential COVID-19 case spikes this winter, and warned that the brand new Omicron variant is coming.

The new COVID-19 variant—recognized as B.1.1.529 and named Omicron on Friday by the World Health Organization (WHO) in an emergency assembly—was first noticed in Botswana in southern Africa and carries dozens of mutations on the spike protein that would make the virus succesful of evading immunity from prior infections or vaccination.

“We’ve taken extraordinary action to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and combat this pandemic. However, we continue to see warning signs of spikes this upcoming winter, and while the new Omicron variant has yet to be detected in New York state, it’s coming,” Hochul mentioned.

“In preparation, I am announcing urgent steps today to expand hospital capacity and help ensure our hospital systems can tackle any challenges posed by the pandemic as we head into the winter months.”

New York’s new state of emergency is efficient Dec. 3 and can be reassessed on Jan. 15 primarily based on the state of affairs.

Specifically, the state’s Department of Health, below the brand new government order Hochul signed, is allowed to restrict non-essential, non-urgent procedures to guard entry to crucial well being care providers, for hospitals or programs with restricted capability. Limited capability refers to under 10 p.c staffed mattress capability, until acknowledged in any other case by the division.

The government order additionally lets the state purchase crucial provides to sort out the pandemic extra shortly.

The WHO labeled the Omicron pressure a “variant of concern” on Friday. The White House introduced the United States will limit journey from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Malawi, in efforts to curb the unfold of the brand new variant.

The European Union, Israel, the UK, Japan, and different nations additionally introduced related journey restrictions on southern African nations.

India, Turkey, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates additionally tightened journey necessities on Friday, reported Reuters.

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Mimi Nguyen Ly is a world information reporter primarily based in Australia. She holds a bachelor’s diploma in optometry and imaginative and prescient science. Contact her at mimi.nl@epochtimes.com.