First case of Omicron variant detected in county

SNOHOMISH COUNTY — The Omicron variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 has now been detected in Snohomish County, the Snohomish Health District announced Dec. 17.
The state Department of Health last week reported at least one such case in Snohomish County detected by sequencing of lab results. The the Health District said details about the case are not available.
“This shouldn’t come as a surprise given recent detection throughout the Puget Sound region,” said the Snohomish Health District’s Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters in a press release. “It serves as a reminder to complete vaccination, get a booster as soon as possible once eligible, continue masking in public, maximize ventilation of indoor spaces, and keep up with all other public health measures. Based upon observations elsewhere, Omicron seems
likely to displace Delta over the coming month or two as the dominant strain.”
“The presence of Omicron does not change the prevention measures in place but is a cue that people should maintain
precautions to reduce the spread of COVID and the likelihood of severe illness,” the health district wrote.
Meanwhile, the flu is circulating more. The health district reports an uptick based on state and national surveillance systems for influenza.
The district emphasizes to get a flu shot as well as a COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot.

— Material recompiled from Snohomish Health District