First Omicron COVID case confirmed in San Luis Obispo County
The Omicron variant has arrived in San Luis Obispo County.
The county Public Health Department said in a Friday news release that the first confirmed case of the Omicron variant was detected by a county resident who tested positive for the coronavirus.
The patient’s name, location, gender and other identifying details have not been disclosed to protect the community member’s privacy, according to the new release.
The California Department of Public Health notified the county Public Health Department of the first confirmed omicron case on Friday, according to the news release.
“It was only a matter of time before the Omicron variant would find its way to our community, and we want to reassure our community that we have a strong surveillance system in place to identify any future cases of COVID-19 that carry the Omicron variant,” said Dr. Penny Borenstein, County Health officer, in a news release.
“Many of our community members already know what we need to do reduce transmission and slow spread, and this includes getting vaccinated, boosted, tested if you feel sick or are a close contact, and wearing your mask in indoor public spaces,” Borenstein said.
Both the state and county public health departments have the technology to identify the variants that cause a positive coronavirus infection.
Omicron was identified as a new variant of concern by the World Health Organization at the end of November. Scientists are still learning about the variant, but early research indicates that it’s is more transmissible, according to the California Department of Public Health. Researchers are still assessing whether Omicron is more deadly or resistant to existing prevention and treatment strategies.
The Delta variant is still the predominate variant driving new coronavirus cases in San Luis Obispo County, according to the release. Public Health said in the release that it promises to keep the community informed as new information about the prevalence of COVID-19 cases involving the Omicron variant develops.
The department said in the release that universal indoor masking is still required and it urges unvaccinated or unboosted community members to get their shots to stay safe during the winter months.
Where to get a COVID-19 test and schedule a vaccine appointment
Free coronavirus testing is available at clinics in San Luis Obispo, Grover Beach, Paso Robles and Morro Bay. To make an appointment, visit emergencySLO.org/testing or call 888-634-1123 to register by phone.
To make an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine or booster, visit MyTurn.ca.gov or call 833-422-4255. The county Public Health Department is also administering vaccines and boosters on a walk-in basis at clinics in San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles and Grover Beach. To find shots at pharmacies near you, visit Vaccines.gov.
The clinics are open Monday and Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m. for lunch), and Saturdays for vaccines only from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The San Luis Obispo clinic is located at 2191 Johnson Ave., the Grover Beach clinic is located at 286 South 16th St. and the Paso Robles clinic is located at 800 Pine St.
For more information, visit RecoverSLO.org/en/when-and-where-can-you-get-vaccinated.aspx.
