After Omicron Variant Case, NJ Urges NYC Anime Convention Attendees To Get COVID Test

NEW JERSEY — It didn't take long for the new omicron variant of the coronavirus to spread to the United States. And now that an attendee at the recent Anime NYC convention has tested positive, New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said Thursday that residents who were at the convention should get tested for the virus.

"New Jersey residents who attended the Anime NYC 2021 Convention ... should get a COVID-19 test as soon as possible, monitor for symptoms and seek medical help if they are sick," said the Department of Health in a statement Thursday night. "Individuals who attended the convention should monitor for 14 days following the last day of their attendance at the event. For information on testing, visit covid19.nj.gov/testing."

A Minnesota resident tested positive for the variant after having attended the event, which was held Nov. 18-20 and reportedly attracted 53,000 guests. It was held at the Jacob Javitz convention center near the Hudson River, a site frequently reached from New Jersey by an easy ferry-to-bus transfer.

As medical professionals continue studying the new variant — identified first in a sample in South Africa last month — they say it's more transmissible than some variants but are unsure so far how effective vaccinations are against it. More studies are being done.

Five Cases In New York

The man who tested positive was the second such case confirmed in the United States, reports say. The first was a California woman who had been vacationing in South Africa. Health departments are looking at cases among people who were exposed to the travelers.

On Friday, the New York Times reported that New York has now confirmed five cases of the variant.

The Anime NYC website posted on its homepage this week, "The Anime NYC team was notified today that one of this year’s attendees tested positive for the Omicron variant of COVID-19. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, the attendee developed mild symptoms on Nov. 22, was tested on Nov. 24, and their symptoms have since resolved.

"We’re actively working with officials from the New York City Department of Health, who are coordinating with various state agencies, and all participants who ordered badges online, as well as exhibitors, artists, and partners. All attendees should receive an email or call from the NYC Test and Trace Corps or their local health departments."

Officials are attempting to track the new variant around the U.S. The World Health Organization recently designated omicron as a "variant of concern."

Death Tolls And Where To Get Tested In NJ

In America, 785,000 people have died of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. The daily death rate is highest right now in Wyoming, Montana, West Virginia, Michigan and Kentucky.

The CDC estimates that more than 140,000 children have lost a close caregiver to the virus.

Vaccinations have been approved for adults and for children 5 and over.

Read the Department of Health statement about the convention and find links to get tested or vaccinated in New Jersey with this link.

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