Dallas County Prepares For COVID-19 Omicron Variant – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Even though Dallas County has yet to record a confirmed case of the omicron variant of COVID-19, officials say they are preparing as if it is already in the county.

They are promoting vaccination and other measures that were used to fight COVID-19 during the pandemic.

Dallas County Health Director Dr Philip Huang said the holiday season could help the virus spread.

“Because it’s cold, people are more inside, closer to each other. We don’t want to see this as what our coming weeks and months will look like, ”he said.

Harris County woman who had no recent travel history tested positive for the omicron variant, marking the first known case in Texas on Monday.

“Omicron is likely to spread to many urban areas that we don’t yet know about. But the advice from health experts on omicron is the same as it is on Delta, ”Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said. “Get vaccinated if you haven’t already been vaccinated. Get a boost if your vaccination took place some time ago. Wear your mask indoors. “

Jenkins urged people with symptoms of COVID-19 not to work and get tested.

Dallas County Commissioner JJ Koch said the more contagious omicron variant could lead to a more serious problem.

“We’re just going to see all the things we didn’t want in terms of increased transmissibility. The virus will be heading in that direction and people will be heading in that direction. So the political implications of my position are that the most vulnerable are going to be intensely vulnerable once we reach that peak, ”Koch said.

Huang said Dallas County is already promoting booster shots to improve protection for vulnerable people, but it’s too early to draw conclusions about omicron.

“There is evidence that it is transmitted very easily, but there is early evidence that it may not be such a serious disease, but it is still early,” said Huang.

Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price complained about the shortage of supplies during recent county-sponsored immunization events, discouraging those who are asked by the county to be vaccinated. He said there weren’t enough doses of vaccine at one event and not enough gift cards promised at another.

“I expect them to have all the tools they promise they will have when we get there. I had a few hiccups and it’s untenable, ”Price said.

Officials said they were planning more vaccination events and getting more gift cards.

The health director said many more people were getting vaccinated at pharmacies and grocery stores than during county events now that vaccines are widely available.