The Long Beach Health Department announced today that it has identified the first locally acquired case of the COVID-19 Omicron variant in Long Beach.
The unvaccinated individual who tested positive does not have a history of international or domestic travel, the department said. The person experienced a cough, runny nose, sore throat and fatigue and is resting at home.
“Because this person did not have a history of recent travel, it is felt that the infection with the Omicron variant was acquired locally, indicating that the Omicron variant is spreading in the community,” the department said.
The City identified its first case of the Omicron variant on Dec. 7 in an individual who had returned to Long Beach on Nov. 29 after international travel. That person was vaccinated and received their booster shot, the department told the Signal Tribune.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), California Department of Public Health and other commercial laboratories randomly sequence positive tests. Last month, about 47% of positive tests in Long Beach were sequenced, according to the department.
The Health Department urges residents to reduce COVID-19 transmission by getting vaccinated or boosted, wearing masks indoors and at large outdoor events and by getting tested when feeling sick or if exposed to COVID-19.
In 2021 to date, 96.4% of COVID-19-related deaths in Long Beach have occurred among unvaccinated people.
The City offers vaccine clinics six days a week: the schedule can be found at longbeach.gov/vaxlb. No appointment is necessary at City-run vaccine clinics. People also may contact their healthcare provider or area pharmacies or visit myturn.ca.gov to make a vaccine appointment. Vaccines are available to everyone 5 years old and older, regardless of immigration status, and are always free of charge.
