covid-19:
Officials: More cases of the omicron variant reported in Clark County
Diego Alonso, 13, receives a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination from registered nurse KJ Dionisio at the Southern Nevada Health District Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021.
Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021 | 5:44 p.m.
Clark County is up to nine known cases of COVID-19 caused by the omicron variant, the Southern Nevada Health District announced today.
“The omicron variant is circulating in the community and the health district anticipates additional cases of omicron variant to be identified by the Nevada State Public Health Laboratory and the Southern Nevada Public Health Laboratory,” the district said in a statement.
Omicron is picking up steam nationally. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that the omicron variant has been identified in more than 70% of new cases in the United States during the past week.
The health district said it will identify contacts of local omicron patients and “make appropriate recommendations for testing and quarantine.”
The health officials recommended vaccination for everyone age 5 and up and boosters for eligible people 16 and older as the most effective step against serious illness and to reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging.