A new variant of COVID-19 that first emerged in South Africa was detected in Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health announced that a Philadelphia resident has tested positive for the Omicron variant of COVID-19. This person is a man in his 30’s from Northwest Philadelphia. The Heath Department is working to get more information on the case. Those variations, or mutations, are concerning to scientists who believe the omicron variant could be more easily transmitted. So far, symptoms reported are fatigue, body aches, a sore throat and cough. Doctors are working to learn more about it, including how the current COVID-19 vaccine responds to it.