The Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) virus has been detected in an Anchorage resident.
The case was identified today through genomic sequencing performed at the Alaska State Public Health Laboratory from a person who recently tested positive in Anchorage following international travel in November.
Alaska joins at least 30 other states and more than 60 countries that have already detected the Omicron variant. Protective measures against the variant remain the same as for the other COVID virus variants.
The Anchorage Health Department in conjunction with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services encourages Alaskans to get vaccinated against Covid-19 or boosted if eligible.
Layering on other protective measures, including masking, hand washing, physical distancing, and testing can also help to reduce transmission of the Covid-19 virus, including Omicron.
In many parts of the world, Omicron is now the dominant variant, taking the place of the previous dominant variant, Delta.
