2 Omicron Cases Found In Fairfield: Health Department

FAIRFIELD, CT — The latest variant of the coronavirus to make international headlines and create new uncertainty about the pandemic has arrived in Fairfield.

There are two cases of the omicron variant in town, health department officials announced Friday evening. Several additional cases were identified across the state Friday as well.

The Fairfielders with the variant have been instructed to isolate and close contacts have been notified of exposure, according to a Fairfield Health Department news release, which noted both patients have mild symptoms not requiring hospitalization.

Town officials Friday urged residents to get vaccinated and receive vaccine boosters, wear a mask around crowds in public, limit social gatherings, self-monitor for coronavirus symptoms, and test as needed.

“Vaccination is the single most important measure to protect against COVID and variants,” Director of Health Sands Cleary said in the news release. “77 percent of those currently hospitalized are unvaccinated and 78 percent of Fairfield residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine. It is also important to get your booster shot if eligible.”

News of omicron in Fairfield comes amid a statewide surge of COVID-19 cases, which have doubled in Connecticut compared to two weeks ago. The state’s first omicron case was detected Saturday. Albert Bourla, CEO of Groton-based vaccine maker Pfizer, characterized the variant earlier this week as milder than previous versions of the virus, but likely more transmissible.

“As we go through this holiday season when there is a high level of COVID-19 activity in town, it is very important that everyone in our community take steps to reduce the risk of getting and spreading COVID-19,” First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick said in the news release.

As of Thursday, Fairfield had 39.5 average daily cases per 100,000 residents and a positive test rate of 5.3 percent between Nov. 21 and Dec. 4, according to the state Department of Public Health. There were 26.2 average daily cases per 100,000 residents in the previous two-week reporting period. The town recorded 233 new coronavirus cases between Dec. 3-9, according to preliminary state data.