KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI -- The highly contagious omicron variant of coronavirus has been identified in six residents of Kalamazoo County.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services identified the COVID-19 variant in six people, but health officials believe it is much more prevalent, according to a press release from the Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department.
“The confirmed presence of the omicron variant in Kalamazoo County aligns with estimates that it has become the predominant COVID-19 variant in our region,” said Medical Director Dr. William Nettleton. “We must vaccinate, boost, mask, and also test frequently.”
According to the CDC, the omicron variant will likely spread more easily. But how easily omicron spreads, compared to the delta variant, remains unknown, the release said. Those with the omicron variant can spread the illness to others, even if they are vaccinated or don’t have symptoms.
The CDC expects that anyone with the omicron infection can spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or don’t have symptoms.
Current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations and deaths due to infection with the omicron variant, though, breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are likely to occur, the release said.
The health department said residents can take multiple steps to prevent themselves or others from getting sick including getting vaccinated, testing if symptoms are present, wearing a mask in public indoor spaces, social distancing and staying home if sick, the release said.
In Michigan, omicron has been found in multiple counties. In the month of December, more people died of COVID-19 in Michigan than any month of the year.
A total of 2,352 deaths from COVID-19 were recorded across Michigan in December, through Dec. 29, according to state data. A larger death count than any other month of 2021, that is about 200 more deaths than in November, which was the year’s second deadliest.
Also on Monday, the Van Buren Cass District Health Department said one case of the omicron variant was found in Van Buren County.
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