Alaska health officials report state's first omicron case

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaska has reported its first case of the omicron variant of the coronavirus, involving an Anchorage resident who had traveled internationally, the state health department announced.

The department, in a release, said the case was identified Monday through genomic sequencing performed at a state health laboratory. The case involved a person who “recently tested positive in Anchorage following international travel in November,” the statement said.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cases involving the omicron variant have been detected in at least 30 states. The CDC says the delta variant continues to be the main version of the virus circulating in the country.

Officials are still learning about the omicron variant.