First case of locally spread omicron variant found in Long Beach

Long Beach has its archetypal confirmed coronavirus lawsuit of the omicron variant contracted done assemblage dispersed alternatively than via travel, the city’s Health Department said Friday afternoon, Dec. 17.

The unvaccinated idiosyncratic has not traveled locally oregon domestically, a Health Department connection said, and is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, including a cough, runny nose, sore pharynx and fatigue. The idiosyncratic is resting astatine home, the section said.

Since the idiosyncratic has not traveled recently, the Health Department said it believes the idiosyncratic contracted the newest variant locally, “indicating that the Omicron variant is spreading successful the community.”

The delta variant is inactive the astir ascendant strain successful Long Beach, the Health Department said. But the omicron variant whitethorn beryllium much contagious than others, the bureau added, truthful getting vaccinated and getting a booster changeable should summation protection.

“The much radical who are vaccinated,” the metropolis connection said, “the little the accidental that immoderate variant, including Omicron, tin get a foothold successful our community.”

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health had recorded 30 cases of the omicron variant arsenic of Thursday. Despite it perchance spreading much easy than different variants, there’s nary grounds that it causes much terrible symptoms, said Barbara Ferrer, the county’s manager of nationalist health.

Coronavirus cases, meanwhile, person been expanding crossed the state, causing Gov. Gavin Newsom to contented a new indoor disguise mandate until Jan. 15. Both LA County and Long Beach already had indoor disguise mandates successful place.

So acold this year, 96.4% of coronavirus-related deaths successful Long Beach were among unvaccinated people, the Health Department said.

Visit the city’s vaccine website, longbeach.gov/vaxlb, for much accusation connected getting vaccinated.

You tin besides sojourn the state’s website myturn.ca.gov to marque an appointment, oregon you tin sojourn your idiosyncratic healthcare supplier oregon caput to a section pharmacy.

Vaccines are escaped and disposable to everyone who is astatine slightest 5 years old, the metropolis said.

Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms — congestion, runny nose, sore throat, fever oregon chills, cough, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, fatigue, musculus oregon assemblage aches, headache, caller nonaccomplishment of sensation oregon smell, nausea, vomiting, oregon diarrhea — should beryllium tested for COVID-19.

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