The Lenawee County Health Department (LCHD) has been notified by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) of two Lenawee County residents with confirmed cases of the Omicron variant. One of the residents tested positive for COVID-19 on December 22, 2021, while the other tested positive on December 23, 2021.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Omicron variant will likely spread more easily, but its overall impact compared to the Delta variant remains unknown. The CDC expects that anyone with the Omicron variant can spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or don’t have symptoms. Current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant.
Residents should continue to practice the following prevention strategies to help reduce transmission of the COVID-19 virus, prevent severe disease, and protect our healthcare system:
● Vaccination (5 years and older) and booster doses for those eligible
● Staying home if you are sick or have symptoms
● Testing for COVID-19 if you have symptoms, 5 days after being exposed to someone with COVID-19 and before gatherings
● Wearing a well-fitting mask in public indoor spaces
● Physically distancing from others not in your household
● Isolation* if you test positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms and notification to your close contacts if you test positive
● Quarantine* if you have been exposed to someone who tests positive for COVID-19
● Washing hands frequently
*While the CDC has issued revised guidance regarding isolation and quarantine for certain positive cases and exposures without symptoms, the MDHHS has not yet released revised isolation and quarantine guidance for the State of Michigan. Once the updated Michigan guidance is received, LCHD will evaluate and make revisions specific for Lenawee County.