While there's been no detection in Georgia of the new COVID variant known as Omicron, state public health officials are urging Georgians not to let their guard down.
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) issued a statement Friday asking Georgia residents to be tested if they have any symptoms of COVID. They also continue to push vaccination for those who have not received their shots. To date, 58% of eligible Georgians have received at least one dose of vaccine, while 51% are considered fully vaccinated.
"What is known is that COVID vaccination helps stop transmission of infection which prevents new variants from emerging,” said Dr. Kathleen E. Toomey, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health. “Vaccination is more important than ever with the emergence of this new variant and the holidays just around the corner.”
All Georgians over the age of 5 are now eligible for COVID vaccination. Booster doses of vaccine are recommended for adults 18 and older who have completed their first series of vaccine. Those who have symptoms of COVID or who may have been exposed to someone with COVID should get tested, according to Toomey. Based on available data, PCR testing can detect the presence of the Omicron variant.
DPH officials said they are closely monitoring the emergence of the Omicron variant, which was first detected in southern Africa. They said the variant has a large number of mutations. Scientists are studying the variant to determine how quickly and easily it spreads, whether it causes more severe illness and how well the current COVID vaccines will protect against it. So far, a few dozen COVID cases caused by Omicron have been identified in South Africa, Hong Kong, Israel and Belgium.
DPH will continue to monitor information about Omicron and provide updates as new information becomes available.
