Last Updated on December 2, 2021
A fully vaccinated Colorado woman who recently traveled to South Africa has been diagnosed with the omicron variant of COVID-19, adding to the growing list of vaccinated individuals who have encountered the new variant.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has confirmed the first case of the omicron variant in Colorado, according to local media. The person who contracted the variant is described as a fully vaccinated adult woman.
The vaccinated Colorado woman who contracted the virus had recently traveled to South Africa, and is now experiencing minor symptoms at home. While she is considered fully vaccinated, the woman did not receive a third dose of the vaccine popularly referred to as a booster shot.
Despite the omicron variant being detected in a vaccinated person within the state, Democrat Colorado Gov. Jared Polis urged his constituents to embrace the controversial vaccines in response to the news.
In a tweet warning of the omicron variant, which has been almost universally described as having mild symptoms, Polis ordered Colorado residents to embrace fear of the virus.
Polis ordered, “It’s particularly critical that Coloradans heed caution and get vaccinated, get a booster dose, wear a mask in indoor public spaces, limit large gatherings, was their hands frequently, get tested if they have symptoms or were exposed, and practice physical distancing.”
It’s particularly critical that Coloradans heed caution and get vaccinated, get a booster dose, wear a mask in indoor public spaces, limit large gatherings, wash their hands frequently, get tested if they have symptoms or were exposed, and practice physical distancing. pic.twitter.com/cFthqfankw
— Governor Jared Polis (@GovofCO) December 2, 2021
Originally, four people with the new variant were detected in Botswana. In a statement from the Botswana government, it was established that those infected were diplomatic travelers, and were fully vaccinated at the time they contracted the virus. Their symptoms were described as mild. As National File reported:
In a statement published on November 25, 2021,the Botswana government acknowledged that “four (4) cases of a new COVID-19 variant” now known as Omicron “were reported and recorded” on November 22.
“The preliminary report revealed that all the four had been completely vaccinated for COVID-19,” reported the Botswana government. The African nation confirmed contact tracing procedures were in place, and denied local reports “associating these cases with HIV+ status of the participants.”
When a person contracted the omicron variant in California, they too were apparently a recent traveler who was fully vaccinated, but had not yet received a third dose of the vaccine. This person’s symptoms, too, were described as mild, and the information about this individual – the first to have the virus within the United States – was confirmed by Anthony Fauci.
As news of the omicron variant broke, Infowars radio host Harrison Smith suggested it should be called “The Vaccinated Variant.”
Since it was discovered in Vaccinated people first, I think this is an appropriate name.
If we could get people to start calling it that right now, it would be a huge public perception victory.
— Harrison Hill Smith (@Harrison_of_TX) November 26, 2021
Despite the omicron variant repeatedly surfacing in vaccinated individuals, Democrats including Joe Biden and White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain, Biden’s key advisor, have stressed more vaccinations as the only possible solution.
Klain went further than Biden, and urged all Americans over the age of 18 to receive a “booster” vaccine dose as soon as possible.
If you are over 18, and were vaccinated before June 1, go get your booster. https://t.co/wxiZ23jIn8
— Ronald Klain (@WHCOS) December 1, 2021
