New COVID Variant Omicron in Orange County
A new COVID variant was discovered in South Africa by the NICD on November 25, 2021. The Omicron variant (variant b.1.1.529) was given its name by the World Health Organization and has led to a spike in global COVID cases. At this time there’s no known cases of the Omicron variant to be in Orange County, but please keep up with the latest news as this variant is being monitored daily.
According to the Africa Center for Disease Control, a large number of mutations have been detected in this new variant, which has been associated with transmissibility in past COVID-19 variants. This includes more than 30 mutations that were found in the region which encodes the spike proteins that are responsible for the entry of COVID-19 into the cell
The Africa CDC and South African Health Minister have recommended implementing safety measures due to the increased risk of reinfection. At this time, President Joe Biden has placed temporary air travel ban restrictions on South Africa and seven other countries. Worldwide, some members of the European Union have buckled down on travel regulations because Omicron has been identified as a strain of concern for rapid transmission.
Omicron COVID variant in Orange County
Refer to the following procedures for safe practices during the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Wear a mask in public settings
- Social distance in crowds
- Wash your hands often
- Get vaccinated and/or get your booster shot
- Get tested for COVID-19 if you experience signs and symptoms or become exposed
- Know your antibody status
We recommend that our patients get tested before and after any social events to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As new variants emerge, we need to take safety precautions for our community. The new introduction of the South African variant can have a large impact on local public health. This strain has the potential to impact the lives of many, including immunocompromised individuals, those over the age of 65, and young people with underlying health conditions.
Get tested for COVID-19 in Orange County, CA
We currently offer PCR tests to our patients to detect COVID-19. Visit any of our five locations throughout the Orange County area. We also offer telehealth appointments for our patients who cannot leave home for medical or safety reasons.
Our locations include:
- Tustin– 17612 E. 17th Street Tustin, CA 92780
- Costa Mesa– 131 E. 17th St. Costa Mesa, CA 92627
- Stanton– 12860 Beach Blvd e, Stanton, CA 90680
- Huntington Beach– 5888 Edinger Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92649
- Los Alamitos– 4332 Katella Ave, Los Alamitos, CA 90720, United States
**This image is only for illustration purposes ONLY. This is NOT an actual image of the new COVID Omicron virus**
What Can I Do To Protect Myself From The New Variant?
The best thing you can do to contribute to slowing the spread of the virus is to get tested and know how to protect yourself from the nu variant. Also, keep up with the latest CDC news to stay informed about developments in the worldwide pandemic. Safety and travel regulations are always changing as well, visit the CDC website for more information.
If you have medical-related questions please schedule a telehealth visit to talk to a healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions:
At this time theirs no one test that detects this specific variant. The standard COVID-19 RT-PCR is able to detect if the COVID-19 virus is present. Get a Standard or a Rush COVID-19 PCR test at your local Xpress Urgent Care.
At the moment, the World Health Organization has mentioned that the Omicron has several mutations that may have an impact on how it behaves, for example, on how easily it spreads or the severity of illness it causes. Learn more here.