The omicron variant is the dominant strain of the coronavirus in Maryland, Gov. Larry Hogan announced Dec. 5.|| COVID-19 updates | Maryland's latest numbers | Get tested | Vaccine Info ||The governor said sequencing data shows omicron is the dominant variant in Maryland. "We know that omicron is four to five times more transmissible than delta," Hogan said on Jan. 13.According to the state's lab partners, 88.5% of all recently analyzed samples tested positive for the omicron variant. And, of those samples that were hospitalized, 91.4% have the omicron variant.| RELATED: COVID-19 state of emergency, executive orders issued; National Guard mobilized"We continue to learn more and more about the omicron variant every day," Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzriasa said. "What we do know is that is spreads quicker or is more easily transmitted from person to person."Doctors say because of the number of home tests that never get reported, the number of cases is actually higher than what is documented by the state.CDC: What we know about omicronSymptoms: Symptoms of the omicron variant include fever, tiredness, scratchy throat and just not feeling well. Loss of taste and smell has been a common symptom in other strains, but it may not be a symptom of omicron.| RELATED: Doctors say omicron's symptoms differ from previous variantsSpread: The omicron variant likely will spread more easily than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and how easily omicron spreads compared to delta remains unknown. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expects that anyone with omicron infection can spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or don't have symptoms.| RELATED: Current spike of omicron variant may come with unexpected resultsSevere Illness: More data are needed to know if omicron infections, and especially reinfections and breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated, cause more severe illness or death than infection with other variants.| RELATED: Expert explains what kind of mask should you wear and for how longVaccines: Current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations and deaths due to infection with the omicron variant. However, breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are likely to occur. With other variants, like delta, vaccines have remained effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations and death. The recent emergence of omicron further emphasizes the importance of vaccination and boosters.The CDC says vaccines remain the best public health measure to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging.Treatments: Scientists are working to determine how well existing treatments for COVID-19 work. Based on the changed genetic make-up of omicron, some treatments are likely to remain effective while others may be less effective.More from the CDCVideo below: FDA says rapid tests are not as effective at detecting omicronCOVID-19 testing in MarylandFederal, state and local governments are working to expand testing sites in Maryland. CNN reported Wednesday that the Biden administration is opening additional federally run free COVID-19 testing sites in six states across the country, including Maryland. A location was not immediately announced.| LINK: Where to get COVID-19 test kits in Maryland | LINK: Find a Testing Site Near YouAt the end of last year, the state opened mass testing sites in Annapolis and Bel Air amid increased demand. And counties are working to expand testing on a local level.| MORE: COVID-19 test kits you can use at home for you and your family| ALSO: As omicron spreads and tests are hard to find, should you assume you're positive and isolate?Video below: Doctor explains accuracy, effectiveness of COVID-19 testsCOVID-19 vaccines, booster shots in MarylandLocal officials have said the omicron variant has been shown to be severe for unvaccinated individuals, but it's less severe for vaccinated people.| CDC STUDIES: Boosters provide the best protection against omicron variant"Those who choose to remain unvaccinated, to be clear, are driving the staggering increase in hospitalizations," said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, who himself tested positive for COVID-19 late last month.| LINK: Find a COVID-19 vaccine/booster shot near youAccording to the governor, new data from the University of Maryland Medical System shows that over the last 30 days, 74% of COVID-19 patients were unvaccinated, 24% were considered fully vaccinated and only 2% were boosted."We also know that (the omicron) variant seems to decrease the efficacy of vaccines in preventing COVID-19 infections. However, getting both doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines and the booster still helps to reduce the risk of being hospitalized, having severe illness and dying from COVID-19 if you do get infected with the omicron variant," Dzirasa said.Tracking the omicron surgeWhen am I contagious if infected with omicron?CDC study: Vaccination protects against COVID-19 hospitalization more than prior infectionBiden administration to give away 400 million N95 masks. Here's what you need to knowCDC moves 22 new destinations into its highest-risk level for travel due to omicron