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Healthy Davis Together and 嘿嘿视频 Genome Center Confirm Omicron Variant in Yolo County

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COVID-19 testing program: data on laptop monitor
COVID-19 testing data appears on laptop monitor at the 嘿嘿视频 Genome Center. (Gregory Urquiaga/嘿嘿视频)

News release from Healthy Davis Together, issued today (Dec. 9).


As part of their free COVID-19 testing operations, Healthy Davis Together and the 嘿嘿视频 Genome Center identified the first-known case of the B.1.1.529 (omicron) variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in Yolo County. The omicron variant has been identified as a  by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The CDC is working with other U.S. and global public health and industry partners to learn more about this variant, including how contagious it is, how severe its cases are compared to other variants and if current vaccines provide protection. Until more is known, it is important to take every precaution to prevent the spread of the new variant.

鈥榃e must remain vigilant鈥

鈥淭he detection of the potentially highly transmissible omicron variant is concerning, especially with more people traveling and visiting with friends and family for the holidays,鈥 said Aimee Sisson, Yolo County public health officer. 鈥淭here is still a lot we don鈥檛 know about the omicron variant, but this detection is a reminder that we must remain vigilant in using the tools we have to protect ourselves against delta and omicron, including vaccination, boosters, testing and following local guidance on mask wearing.鈥

Every positive COVID-19 test conducted by Healthy Davis Together is automatically screened by the Genome Center for all currently known variants of concern so that immediate action can be taken to alert and protect the community. The person who had a positive PCR test result for the B.1.1.529 (omicron) variant is currently in isolation and contact tracing began immediately. The infection occurred in a West Sacramento adult with recent domestic travel who was vaccinated against COVID-19.

鈥淲e use a process called genotyping that allows us to quickly and inexpensively identify viral mutations of interest. Using the pattern of mutations, we can usually tell what variant (e.g., alpha, delta, omicron) the virus is. If necessary, as in this case, we follow that up with viral genome sequencing for confirmation,鈥 said David Coil, project scientist at the Genome Center. 鈥淭hrough this process, we are able to swiftly identify not only positive COVID cases but also specific variants of concern so that infected individuals can isolate and reduce the spread in our community.鈥

Vaccinations and testing

Getting vaccinated, getting a booster when eligible, getting tested and following local mask guidance are the most important things people can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including the omicron variant.

If you are vaccinated and planning to travel or gather, it鈥檚 recommended that you get tested one to three days prior to and three to five days after traveling or gathering. If you aren鈥檛 vaccinated yet, it鈥檚 important to get tested regularly. With the recent approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children from 5-11, HDT strongly encourages everyone 5 years and older to get vaccinated.

Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are accepted at most testing locations. Parking is free.

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About Healthy Davis Together

Healthy Davis Together is a joint project between 嘿嘿视频 and the city of Davis to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community and facilitate a coordinated and gradual return to regular city activities and student life. Comments and questions are welcome at info@HealthyDavisTogether.org.

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