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Laboratories across North Carolina have identified the new strain, the state health department confirms.

The omicron BA.2 variant spreads about 30% more easily and has caused surges in other countries. Its steady increase in the U.S. raises questions about the wisdom of rolling back COVID restrictions.

At this point in the pandemic, health care workers across the country are arguably under more pressure than ever. Some are getting sick themselves or burning out and leaving. But there are signs that COVID trends could turn for the better soon.

As the omicron variant continues to climb, these figures are all but certain to increase.

North Carolina is now one of 29 states where the COVID-19 omicron variant has been detected, according to the latest numbers the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released on Monday.