The more contagious but less severe Omicron variant of COVID-19 as been detected in St. Clair County. Medical Health Officer Dr. Annette Mercatante told WPHM Tuesday morning that some of the health department’s testing sampling from the past week has come back positive for the new variant. She says the new variant has the possibility to reverse the current downward trend in cases locally.
“We need to be relieved that things are starting to look a little bit better,” said Mercatante. “We (also) have to be very concerned that we have holiday parties and school going back into session right as this highly transmissible virus is hitting our community.”
The fact that Omicron is less severe, and appears to be spread only in the early days of the pandemic, has prompted the CDC to reduce the number of days someone positive for the virus has to self isolate. The recommendation has been changed now from ten days to five. Mercatante says her and her staff are currently in the process of updating their guidance to reflect the change form the CDC.
