Orange County Reports First Case Of Omicron Variant
ORANGE COUNTY (CBSLA) - Orange County has reported its first case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. The individual, a male, is fully vaccinated.
Thus far, they have only experience mild symptoms of illness. The individuals name has been withheld for privacy.
Doctor Regina Chinsio-Kwong, Deputy Health Officer of the Orange County Health Care Agency urged residents to invest in better quality masks, especially those of the N95 variant, as a winter surge of coronavirus quickly approaches the United States. It would be the fifth surge of the virus since the start of the pandemic in 2020.
She also recommended that residents reconsider holiday plans, especially those that are planning large gatherings. Chinsio-Kwong offered tips, including requesting that all family members be fully vaccinated and boosted against the virus.
While Orange County reports a 66% vaccination rate, that still leaves over 700,000 people who haven't received even one dosage of any COVID-19 vaccine.
The Orange County Health Care Agency reported 449 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, with five new deaths. They also have just under 200 patients in hospital care, with less than 60 of those in intensive care units.
This news comes on the same day that Riverside County also reported their first Omicron variant case, while Los Angeles County Omicron cases jumped over 30.
(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)
