The Corona virus variant Omikron, discovered in southern Africa, is spreading rapidly across Germany and has also arrived in Offenbach. The city health department currently reports 67 cases that have been detected using variant PCR tests. There are also other suspected cases. The city health department has asked the laboratories to carry out further variant PCR tests, but the laboratories are currently very busy.
In contrast to the previous virus variants, the Omikron variant has to be followed up by telephone contact by the city health department, which leads to an additional burden on the office. The city health department therefore asks for your understanding that there may be delays in contacting you.
The City Health Office also advises the population that, according to current knowledge, the Omikron variant has different and sometimes even new symptoms compared to the virus variants known up to now. In addition to signs such as runny nose, sneezing, dry cough and a scratchy throat, Omikron also has a loss of appetite, extreme tiredness and headaches and aches and pains. Often the loss of the sense of smell or taste, which is typical for the previous variants, is missing. It is therefore strongly advised to have a test if you have symptoms of a cold.
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