The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced today (Thursday) the State Hygienic Laboratory has confirmed the first case of the Omicron COVID-19 variant in Iowa. State health officials say the Black Hawk County patient is unvaccinated, under 18 and was only tested following suspected exposure during travel. The patient is asymptomatic at this time and is isolating in accordance with U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance. IDPH Interim Director, Kelly Garcia, says, “There is emerging evidence that a booster dose of vaccine offers protection against Omicron, which is great news. Vaccinated Iowans who have not yet received a booster dose should do so as soon as possible.” Omicron seems to spread more easily than other variants, but CDC Director, Rochelle Walensky, has noted nearly all identified cases have resulted in only mild symptoms for patients. Links to the CDC’s Omicron factsheet and tools to find a COVID vaccine provider near you are included below.
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https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/omicron-variant.html
