Omicron variant identified in Ada County resident

Central District Health encourages vaccination and booster for COVID-19

CENTRAL DISTRICT HEALTH (Idaho) — Central District Health (CDH) has confirmed the state of Idaho’s first COVID-19 case with the Omicron variant. The variant was confirmed in a clinical lab sample from an Ada County resident who recently reported out of state travel. The resident is over the age of 50 and experienced very mild symptoms, likely due to being fully vaccinated.

“It’s important for people to realize that this new and highly transmissible variant has now been detected in Idaho, and many areas across the US. Many Idahoans regularly travel this time of year, and we need to remember to continue to take precautions, including receiving your vaccine or vaccine booster if you have not done so already,” said Lindsay Haskell, Communicable Disease Control Manager for CDH.

Currently, Ada County remains at a high level of community transmission for COVID-19 per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Public health officials in Idaho continue to recommend that everyone 5 years of age or older get the COVID-19 vaccine, and that all adults 18 and older get a COVID- 19 booster shot. Youth ages 16 to 17 who have received the Pfizer vaccine series may also get a booster dose when eligible.

Other mitigation measures such as wearing face coverings in crowded public places and testing after exposure and when ill remain important parts of managing the pandemic regardless of vaccine status. Identifying illness early allows people to get proper care and prevent spread to family, friends, and others. CDH wants to remind people to stay home when sick and seek testing and healthcare when needed.

See CDH’s vaccine provider list for more information about vaccine locations across Ada, Boise, Elmore, and Valley Counties.

Central District Health is dedicated to its vision of creating healthy people in healthy communities. Learn more at cdh.idaho.gov.

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Rachel Garceau, Public Information Officer rgarceau@cdh.idaho.gov | 208-871-1712