The Tompkins County Health Department is confirming the presence of the Omicron COVID-19 variant in Tompkins County. As of Saturday, December 11 there have been two confirmed Omicron cases of Tompkins County residents found via an ongoing sequencing program at Cornell University’s Virology Lab, in collaboration with Cayuga Medical Center and the TCHD.
TCHD has recently published information about the variant on its website and will continue to provide more information as it becomes available. At this time there is no recommendation that testing, vaccine, or treatment for COVID-19 be adjusted due to the Omicron variant.
Tompkins County Public Health Director Frank Kruppa stated, “This variant is likely to become the predominant strain in the U.S. and around the world, just as Delta did this summer. While not a lot is known about this specific variant yet, we do know that wearing a mask while around others, avoiding gatherings especially if you are symptomatic, and getting vaccinated and boosted are all ways to stop the spread and prevent the most harmful effects of COVID-19 regardless of the variant.
On 11/26/21, the CDC released a statement about the new Variant of Concern named Omicron, emphasizing the ongoing importance of public health prevention measures. The Tompkins County Health Department recommends the following: get vaccinated, wear a mask in indoor public places, maintain social distance and avoid crowded areas when in public, wash hands frequently, monitor your symptoms, and get tested if symptoms develop.
The Omicron variant was a topic of discussion at a virtual Town Hall held by TCHD on Thursday, December 9. The recording is available on the Tompkins County You Tube page: https://youtu.be/fhEyJQKZUoo. The panel included Frank Kruppa, Public Health Director, Claire Espey, Director of Community Health Services, Dr. Martin Stallone, CEO, Cayuga Health System, and Amie Hendrix, Deputy County Administrator.
Prevention strategies TCHD continues to promote to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including variants:
- Everyone 5 years and older can protect themselves by getting fully vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccination is free of charge.
- For those who are eligible, get a booster dose when you are able. Booster doses help maximize protection from COVID-19
- Tompkins County currently has a mask advisory in effect: everyone is encouraged to wear a mask in public indoor settings regardless of vaccination status.
