Minnesota officials report second known case of omicron COVID-19 variant in US

Minnesota public health authorities said Thursday the second U.S. case of the omicron COVID-19 variant appears to have been detected in a resident who recently returned from New York City. 

Authorities said the infected person is a male who was fully vaccinated and has since recovered, according to CNBC.

He traveled to New York City to a convention at the Javits Center from Nov. 19-21, the authorities said in a statement. 

The male patient developed symptoms shortly after returning and tested positive on Nov. 22, CNBC also reports.

The first omicron case in the U.S. was confirmed Wednesday in California. Officials say that person recently returned to San Francisco from a trip to South Africa.

New York health officials have yet confirmed any cases in the state but say they anticipate doing so.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said Thursday those attending the Javits Center conference were required to get vaccinated. Still, she recommended that they all get tested and said convention organizers have contact information for all attendees, CNBC also reports.

The patient in California who first tested positive for omicron in the U.S. was also fully vaccinated, has mild symptoms and is self quarantining, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country's top infectious disease expert, said Wednesday.