The Omicron variant is spreading around the world and health officials are watching closely. Here’s what that could mean for interest rates. (istock)
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Seattle – the COVID-19 Omicrón variable Health officials announced Saturday that they had seen him in Washington.
The Washington State Department of Health made the announcement Saturday. Before that, health officials noted that they were treating their response to the pandemic as if an alternative already existed in the state.
Previous coverage: There are still no confirmed cases of COVID Omicron in Washington; Hospital leaders urge booster shots
Gov. Jay Inslee says three cases of the Omicron variant have been detected, and the Health Department has confirmed that the patients are a Thurston County man in his 30s, a Pierce County man in his 20s, and a woman. King County in his 20s.
The Health Ministry says those cases were confirmed Saturday afternoon in a government laboratory.
Health officials do not believe these cases are related, but they do not know the people’s travel history. DOH says very little is known about the new variant, but the researchers were able to detect Omicron quickly due to increased monitoring.
“We knew it was a matter of time before Omicron sequencing was implemented in our state, so we expected this very news,” said Health Minister Amir Shah. “We strongly urge people to receive the vaccine and boosters as soon as possible to increase the level of protection of any kind.”
“We suspected that the omicron variant was circulating in our area, and now our laboratory has confirmed the first three cases in Washington state by sequencing the viral genome in the last 24 hours,” said Dr. Jeffrey Baird of UW Medicine. “Throughout the pandemic, it has been a massive team effort by the University of Washington Laboratory of Medicine and Virology, requiring the development and implementation of numerous diagnostic and sequencing assays to detect and confirm a variety of variants of COVID-19 that have emerged in Washington state. . “
Officials are still urging people to get vaccinated, which remains the best protection against COVID-19 and its variants.
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan issued the following statement following the Health Department announcement:
“While Omicron is the latest chapter in our battle with COVID-19, our residents and businesses know the steps we can all take to keep our community safe and healthy together. This pandemic has been very difficult, but during each wave Seattle has done what it needed and appeared with minimal numbers. From cases, hospitalizations, and death rates in every major American city. We have listened to public health and we have followed science. That’s why Seattle has one of the highest vaccination rates in the country, extensive testing, masking requirements, and vaccination verification.
“In the coming days and weeks, we will learn more about Omicron transmission and severity from scientists and researchers, but this is what we do know: vaccines work, boosters are key, and testing remains critical. We must continue to wear masks in indoor gatherings, remember to wash your hands frequently and understand. Take risks in crowded indoor spaces and stay home and away from others if you have symptoms.
“In Seattle, we have made efforts to offer tens of thousands of booster shots and shots for children before the holidays, and we are working with our partners to make more appointments available. We continue to provide easy, fast and accessible testing through our partnerships with UW Medicine and Therapy. While we all want the pandemic to end, we need all of us to do our part to keep each other and our community safe. “
Related: Small bars and restaurants require proof of vaccination in King Co. Monday
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