Omicron cases have been discovered in six additional states in the United States, although Delta remains the most serious coronavirus danger in the United States.

Reuters, WASHINGTON, Dec 3 - On Friday, six additional states in the United States confirmed COVID-19 illnesses, but scientists say the Delta strain will pose a larger threat once winter sets in and Americans congregate for the holidays.

On Friday, the Omicron variety was first detected in New Jersey, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and Utah. Missouri was waiting for confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on a case involving a St. Louis resident who had recently traveled within the United States.

The implications of the highly infectious Omicron strain, which was initially discovered in South Africa, is currently being investigated by scientists. Early research suggests that it will cause less disease than its predecessors, such as Delta.

The Omicron pandemic has made headlines throughout the world, prompting political leaders to implement further COVID-19 limitations. However, Delta remains the most common strain in the United States. The director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Rochelle Walensky, told a White House briefing.

According to the state's health department, the instance was detected through continuing genetic sequencing of positive COVID-19 samples at the state laboratory.

The state's health agency reported six verified cases. Only one of the six persons was vaccinated, and no one had to be hospitalized because of COVID-19, according to the department.

Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland revealed the state's first three occurrences of the Omicron variety, noting that none of the three people were hospitalized. In Pennsylvania, a 30-year-old Philadelphia male tested positive for Omicron, according to municipal health officials.

Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey claimed the state's first Omicron case was discovered in a fully vaccinated lady who had just visited Georgia.

According to Dr. Ashish Jha, head of Brown University's School of Public Health, an increase in infections might put further burden on U.S. hospitals already dealing with high case loads and exhausted personnel.

"In the coming weeks and months, I'm quite concerned about our healthcare system. I'm not sure how much more it can take "He called for National Guard troops and other contingency preparations to help physicians and nurses.

Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb suggested that states with greater vaccination rates will be better protected against Omicron, and that unvaccinated persons who survived Delta may discover that their immunity is no longer effective against the new strain.

"The concern for the future is that states that rely on a lot of Delta infections to provide immunity to their populace might be more susceptible to this new version," Gottlieb, who is also a member of Pfizer's (PFE.N) board of directors, told CNBC.

Omicron has been discovered in more than 40 nations, including California, Colorado, Hawaii, Minnesota, and New York in the United States.

4 DECEMBER (Reuters) - After authorities hauled the pair into custody on Saturday following a high-profile manhunt, a Michigan court set bail for the parents of a boy suspected of murdering four fellow high school classmates at $500,000 apiece.

James and Jennifer Crumbley, who appeared in court via videolink from jail, pleaded not guilty to four charges of involuntary manslaughter.

The Crumbleys took $4,000 from an ATM as investigators were hunting for them, according to Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald, who testified during the court.

"We cannot be certain that these folks will return to court on their own," she added.

After Oakland County prosecutors announced on Friday that the pair will be charged with manslaughter in connection with the campus mass shooting, authorities began looking for them. Prosecutors allege that the Crumbleys acquired the weapon as a Christmas present for their son and then ignored warning indications, including on the day of the incident.