Ohio Department of Health confirms first Omicron variant cases

The Ohio Department of Health ha reported the first two cases of the Omicron variant in the state.

The cases were detected in adult men in central Ohio, and both tested positive on a PCR test on Dec. 7, health officials said.

Both cases had received their initial COVID-19 vaccine series more than six months ago, but neither had yet received a booster. Both patients are currently experiencing mild symptoms and have not been hospitalized, according to officials.

“We have known that it would only be a matter of time until a case of Omicron was detected in Ohio. The CDC believes that this variant has likely been circulating in the U.S. since November,” said Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff. “This variant’s arrival and the continued impact of the Delta variant underscore the importance of our best prevention tool, which is choosing to be vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines, coupled with prevention measures, provide the greatest protection from severe illness resulting in hospitalization or death. If you have not yet been vaccinated, or are eligible for a booster dose, now is the time to go and get your shot.”

Officials say the cases were confirmed in Ohio following genomic sequencing by The Ohio State University Laboratory.

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