The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services released a statement today that it is “closely monitoring information” regarding the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
No cases of the new variant have been confirmed in the United States, the department said. According to Reuters, five cases have been identified in Canada.
In Long Beach, a percentage of positive tests are sequenced to detect variants, such as the Delta variant and newly-identified Omicron variant. The department said it will inform the community if the Omicron variant is detected in Long Beach.
“New variants will continue to evolve as long as there are large proportions of unvaccinated people,” the department said in a statement.
In Long Beach, 84% of adults have received at least one vaccine dose and 66.8% of those eligible for the vaccine are fully vaccinated.
“Becoming fully vaccinated and getting the booster continues to be the most effective way to protect yourself and the community from the virus,” the department wrote.
Anyone 5 years of age and older can receive a vaccine in Long Beach. More information about vaccines and booster shots, as well as vaccine sites in Long Beach, is available here.
