Genesee County Health Department (GCHD) had been notified of two (2) Genesee County residents with confirmed cases of the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of COVID-19 as of December 15. Case investigation and contact tracing has been done for both individuals, one who first tested positive on December 1 and the other on December 2. Both individuals were adults between 18 and 64 years old who were not hospitalized. These cases were associated with domestic travel.
The Omicron variant was classified as a ”Variant of Concern” by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Nov. 30. Variants are classified as “variants of concern” if they show evidence of one or more of the following, being more contagious, causing more severe illness or resistance to diagnostics, treatments or vaccines.
The Omicron variant was first detected on Nov. 11 in South Africa, and the first case was confirmed in the United States on Dec. 1. The identification of the Omicron variant is not unexpected as it has been identified in more than 20 other states. The first reported Omicron variant in Michigan was reported in a Kent County resident on December 9. Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur over time.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Bureau of Laboratories is a
national leader in whole genome sequencing for SARS-CoV-2 and will continue to monitor for
variants of concern.
According to CDC, the Omicron variant will likely spread more easily than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus. How easily Omicron spreads compared to the Delta variant remains unknown. CDC expects that anyone with the Omicron infection can spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or do not have symptoms. With other variants, like Delta, vaccines have remained effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations and death and are expected to do the same against Omicron. The recent emergence of Omicron further emphasizes the importance of primary vaccinations and boosters.
The most effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19, hospitalization and death is to be vaccinated. To provide additional protection against the Omicron variant, masks and distancing are effective. Wearing a mask in indoor areas offers additional protection, and with the easy transmission of the Omicron variant, social distancing or wearing a mask in crowded outdoor activities is recommended,
For a list of available GCHD-sponsored clinics, please visit https://www.gchd.us/vaccinescheduler/. Vaccines are also available at pharmacies and some local physicians’ offices. To find available vaccine near you, enter your zip code at https://www.vaccines.gov/search/.
