3 omicron coronavirus variant cases confirmed in Baltimore metropolitan region

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Gov. Larry Hogan says state health officials have confirmed the first three cases of the new omicron variant of the coronavirus in Maryland residents.

Officials say all three are from the Baltimore metropolitan region.

Two are from the same household, including a vaccinated person who recently traveled to South Africa and an unvaccinated person who's a close contact of that person.

The third case, a vaccinated person with no known recent travel history, is unrelated to the other two. None of them are hospitalized. Contact tracing efforts are underway to ensure that potential close contacts are identified, quarantined and tested.

The World Health Organization classified omicron as a “variant of concern” and it has been found in several states.