Omicron Variant Found In Philadelphia Resident
Source: Patch
PHILADELPHIA — The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has been found in Philadelphia, health officials said Friday. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health said a man in his 30s from Northwest Philadelphia tested positive for the new variant. Health officials in the city are working to get more details on the case and are coordinating with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Cases of the new variant have also been found in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Minnesota, and New York. Some basic information on these cases has been published, and thus far all have reported mild symptoms. At this time, the Health Department is issuing a warning to all Philadelphians to take precautions, given the possibility that this new strain may be more transmissible.
This includes seriously reconsidering plans for indoor holiday gatherings and activities."It is not unexpected that we would see Omicron here in Philadelphia," Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole said. "Just because there is a case of this new variant here does not mean it's too late to take precautions. There are things that you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones. This is not like when we first saw COVID cases.
We know what works, and we've been doing a great job doing those things."Bettigole said the best way to protect against this new variant is to get vaccinated and urged residents to get the doses they need — whether first, second, or booster doses — as soon as possible.
Read more: https://patch.com/pennsylvania/philadelphia/omicron-variant-found-philadelphia-resident
Just heard this as a breaking news on my local CBS affiliate news radio station.
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