What we know about the Suburban Cook County Omicron COVID case – NBC Chicago

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The first confirmed case of the omicron variant in suburban Cook County has been reported, but what do we know about the person’s symptoms and how they were exposed?

Here’s a look at what officials have said we know so far about the case:

Where was the case reported?

The Cook County Public Health Department announced that the variant had been identified in one case on Tuesday, but did not specify in which suburb the variant was found.

“It’s not like we’re saying there are 20 new cases in this town or 30 in another,” said Dr Rachel Rubin, co-chief and chief medical officer of the county public health department. Cook. “So, he’s the only one.”

Has the person been vaccinated?

The case, the first known case of omicron in suburban Cook County, was reported in a person who had received at least two doses of the coronavirus vaccine, officials said.

Rubin noted that the person received their last dose of the vaccine “several months ago,” but could not give a specific date.

“We do know that they have received at least two doses of the vaccine. And we do not yet know the status of a booster in this individual, but we are investigating,” she said.

How was the person exposed?

According to Rubin, the person had contact with someone else who tested positive for the omicron variant, which led to her getting tested despite being asymptomatic.

“It was through contact with someone else who had it,” Rubin said.

Rubin, however, could not say whether that contact was in the state of Illinois or out of state or out of the country.

Are other cases expected?

Additional cases may soon be identified because “there are other cases that are currently genotyped for omicron,” the Cook County Public Health Department said.

“We are investigating positive cases who are also contacts of this case, as well as a few other people who do not appear to have direct contact, but those investigations are ongoing at this time,” Rubin said.

What do health officials expect next and what is being done to prevent the spread?

County officials say the number of delta cases increased dramatically in the days and weeks leading up to omicron’s arrival, but said they anticipated rapid spread of the new variant.

“As expected, omicron has arrived in the suburbs of Cook County and we must take all possible precautions to prevent this highly contagious variant from spreading rapidly,” Dr Rachel Rubin, co-chief and chief medical officer of the department of public health of Cook County. , said in a statement. “Vaccinations, including booster shots, are vital. Indoor masking in all public spaces is mandatory in the county and must continue. And we urge unvaccinated residents not to attend holiday celebrations. or at social events during this time. “

What about the other cases in Illinois?

So far, only one other case has been confirmed in Illinois, according to the state health department.

The case was reported in a fully vaccinated city resident who had also received a booster dose but was visited by an out-of-state traveler who also tested positive for the variant. The resident did not need to be hospitalized, is improving and isolating himself since the onset of his symptoms, officials said.

“While not surprisingly, this news should serve as a reminder to Chicagoans of the continuing threat of COVID-19, especially as families prepare to reunite over the holidays,” said Dr. Allison Arwady, Commissioner from the Chicago Department of Public Health, in a statement. “We know how to slow the spread of this virus: get yourself vaccinated, get boosted, get tested if you have symptoms or have been in contact with someone with COVID-19, and stay away from others if you are positive. Wear a mask indoors, avoid poorly ventilated spaces, practice social distancing, and wash your hands. “

Arwady added at the time that test results were pending for residents of the city who are known contacts of cases of omicron variants outside of the state or country.

“We are tracking several people who we know have been exposed, whether they are traveling within the United States or even overseas, and we have a pretty robust way of sharing information in a way that protects privacy, but we allow cases to be investigated or contact traced, including across state borders, “she said.

So far, the variant has already been detected in nearly two dozen U.S. states, with cases also reported in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

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