Omicron is officially here
The omicron variant of COVID-19 was reported in Hamilton County on Thursday, though it’s likely been here for much longer given limited sequencing for coronavirus variants. I’d recommend reading this article by the Atlantic’s Ed Yong (who won the Pulitzer Prize in explanatory journalism for his coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic) if you’re looking for a comprehensive explanation of omicron’s significance and what we do/don’t know about the latest variant sweeping the nation.
In the meantime, get vaccinated and boosted if you haven’t yet, and remember that “layers” of protection (masks, social distancing, ventilation, etc.) still work no matter what the variant!
Stay safe,
– Elizabeth Fite, health care reporter, efite@timesfreepress.com
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