HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – The Department of Public Health and Human Services says that the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus has been detected in at least one Hill County resident.
The information was included in the DPHHS’ weekly snapshot on COVID-19 activity in Montana.
Hill County Health Officer Kim Berg did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
As of December 29th, 15 cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant have been detected in Montana. Other counties reporting the variant are Cascade, Gallatin, Glacier, Jefferson, Missoula, Pondera and Yellowstone.
According to DPHHS sampling, the Delta and Omicron variants appear to be making up a vast majority of the COVID-19 cases in the state.
The CDC says the Omicron variant is more contagious than the original COVID virus and breakthrough cases in vaccinated individuals is possible. However, current vaccines are expected to protect against serious illness from the variant.
Public health professionals recommend people take the same precautions that have been preached throughout the pandemic to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, including social distancing whenever possible and masking up in public, washing hands frequently, and getting vaccinated and boosted if eligible.
