First Omicron COVID-19 Variant Reported In Orange County

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Orange County reported its first Omicron COVID-19 case in the county Friday, after an adult male tested positive for infection by the variant after traveling domestically outside of California, the OC Health Care Agency reported.

The resident is experiencing mild illness and contracted the infection while he was fully vaccinated, a spokesperson for the OC Health Care Agency said. The agency is following up on any close contacts the resident may have had.

"The Omicron variant is highly transmissible and has already been identified in the United States and many countries around the world," Deputy County Health Officer Matthew Zahn said in a statement.

The case marks the first reported sign of the Omicron COVID-19 variant in Orange County, soon after Los Angeles confirmed its first case Dec. 2.

"We had anticipated that Omicron would arrive here in Orange County," Zahn said. "It's important that we all do our part by following public health guidance to protect our loves ones and neighbors, especially those who are the must vulnerable, during the holiday season."

The agency recommended taking the following precautions to keep friends and family safe.

• Get your COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot. Residents who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or are eligible for their booster dose should find the most convenient option available to them to get their shot amid the holiday season.
• Get tested after returning from travel, regardless of vaccination status. Those returning from travel over the holidays are strongly encouraged by the agency to get a COVID-19 test three to five days after returning home. Free self-collection, at-home COVID-19 test kits are being given to travelers at John Wayne Airport in Terminals A and C, the agency said.
• Wear your mask. Wearing a mask slows the spread of COVID-19, and the agency strongly recommends wearing one while you are indoors in public settings. Masks are currently required to be worn in all indoor public settings, regardless of vaccination status.