Omicron COVID Variant
On 11/26/21, The World Health Organization (WHO) listed Omicron, also known as B.1.1.529, as a COVID “variant of concern.” There are some things we know about the new variant and other factors unknown. The ability of researchers to quickly identify variants has improved over time. This variant was quickly identified by researchers in South Africa who advise that the Omicron variant has “a large number of mutations” with some on the spike protein, suggesting “it emerged from a person(s) with a persistent infection.” However, the number of mutations that a variant has does not necessarily mean it is more dangerous. One healthcare provider in South Africa has indicated the patients she treated had mild symptoms. Others, identified as “travelers” who have tested positive for the Omicron have appeared asymptomatic. What is unknown at this time is: how our immune systems will respond to this variant, if the variant will be mitigated by current vaccines and whether it has greater transmissibility. We also don’t
know what factors in the environment (where the variant first emerged) may have played a part in the development of the variant (i.e., vaccination rates, health of the community, etc.). The CDC announced on Wednesday that the new COVID variant, Omicron, has been identified in the United States in a traveler returning from South Africa to California. It is noted that the individual was vaccinated, and the person’s symptoms are currently described as “mild.” It is recommended that anyone who feels ill, please get tested and if positive for COVID, please stay home from school, work, and other public places for a minimum of 10 days. Because we know that COVID variants will continue to emerge over time, we must continue to take care of our health and keep our immune systems strong. Eat healthy, get regular exercise, don’t smoke, or
use tobacco, limit how much alcohol you drink, and take good care of both your physical and emotional health. YCCHS will continue to update as more information becomes available.
• Get vaccinated: azhealth.gov/FindVaccine;
• Get your booster: azdhs.gov/Boosters
• Get kids ages 5 and older vaccinated: azhealth.gov/VaccinesForKids;
• Get your flu shot: azhealth.gov/Flu;
• Mask up, physically distance, keep your hands washed, stay home if sick, and follow other
prevention steps detailed at azhealth.gov/COVID-19; and
• If you contract COVID-19, get tested early and see if you qualify for monoclonal antibody treatment to reduce the severity of your illness: azdhs.gov/mAbs
Yavapai County reports 885 COVID-19 Cases since Monday November 29, 2021 and 45 deaths reported since Monday, many of which were late reported and occurred in the month of November. The county has tested 103,997 residents for COVID-19 in the past 6 months, and there have been 33,408 positive cases and 825 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. Yavapai Regional Medical Center reports 88 COVIDpatients, VVMC reports 28 patients, and the VA reports 5 patients. The County is still experiencing high transmission of COVID-19 with a 25.9% positivity rate and 371 cases per 100,000 residents for the week ending November 21, 2021. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or what seems to be a bad cold,
please get tested for COVID-19 and/or Flu. ADHS COVID-19 Hotline – (844) 542-8201 (select Option number Eight) – helps in English and Spanish from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week, except for major
holidays.
