Omicron Incoming | Local News | Bend | The Source Weekly
A The new variant of COVID originating in South Africa is of concern to Oregon Health officials. South African scientists announced that a new variant, now called the Omicron variant, was spreading in their country last week and has already been detected in 20 other countries.
Scientists are working to understand the novel variant, but it is currently unknown whether it is more transmissible than other COVID variants or causes more serious health consequences. The World Health Organization reported that hospital admissions increased in South Africa, but said that this could be due to more infections rather than increased case severity.
The variant has already spread to Europe and Asia. There hasn’t been a case in the United States at the time of this writing, but health officials believe it is only a matter of time before it spreads to North America.
“Omicron has not yet been discovered in the United States, but we anticipate it will be in the coming days due to its reported high transferability,” said Dean E. Sidelinger, Oregon State Health Officer and Epidemiologist, in a press release . “Oregon has one of the most robust surveillance systems in the United States, and no Omicron cases have been detected in Oregon.”
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The delta variant is the predominant variant in the US and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is responsible for about 99% of current cases and 80% of total infections during the pandemic. While it’s too early to say for sure, Sidelinger said there are signs that Omicron may be more contagious than Delta.
“Omicron is said to be more transferable than the Delta variant, as it quickly ousted Delta in South Africa, but we don’t yet know how much more transferable it is. We also don’t know how Omicron affects the vaccine’s effectiveness against serious infections (hospitalization and death), ”Sidelinger said.
Health officials say vaccinations, masking, and distancing are the best ways to prevent the virus from spreading. A CDC study found that unvaccinated people are 10 times more likely to be hospitalized and 11 times more likely to die from COVID.
“Vaccination remains the best protection against COVID-19. Those who have not yet been vaccinated should get their first COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. Those who are due for a booster vaccination – all adults either two months after a Johnson & Johnson vaccination or six months after a Moderna or Pfizer vaccination – should get it as soon as possible, ”Sidelinger said. “Wearing a mask in public places, as well as social distancing and hand washing, remain incredibly important with an emerging variant and high community transmission rate.”
Starting November 30th, Deschutes County Health Services is partnering with the Oregon Health Authority to offer drive-through vaccinations at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center in Redmond for everyone ages 5 and up. The vaccination clinic is open daily from noon to 7 a.m. and can offer first, second, or booster shots for all three US-approved COVID vaccines
“We are excited to help improve access to COVID-19 vaccinations for children,” said Nahad Sadr-Azodi, director of Deschutes County Health Services, in a press release. “This is a great opportunity for families to get together and get vaccinated.”
Mask requirement lifted outdoors: Public health officials lifted Oregon’s mandate on outdoor masks as cases have declined from the recent surge
Mask requirement lifted outdoors
Public health officials lifted Oregon’s mandate on outdoor masks as cases have declined from the recent surge
By Jack Harvel