Suburban Cook County announces first confirmed case of Omicron variant – NBC Chicago

The first confirmed case of the omicron variant in suburban Cook County has been reported, health officials said on Wednesday.

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. Officials are expected to hold a press conference to discuss the case on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

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

Additional cases may soon be identified because “there are other cases that are currently being genotyped for omicron,” the department said.

Still, county officials say the number of delta cases increased dramatically in the days and weeks leading up to omicron’s arrival.

“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 social events during this time. “

Illinois health officials last week reported the state’s first case of the omicron variant in a Chicago resident.

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. “

Health officials were preparing for the variant to be detected in both the city and the state this week.

Arwady said earlier today that test results are currently pending for city residents who are known contacts of omicron variant cases 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.