WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (Talk1370.com) -- Williamson County has identified its first lab-confirmed case of the omicron COVID-19 variant, health officials announced Monday.
Officials with the Williamson County and Cities Health District said the best advice they have for everyone is to continue to get tested and get vaccinated, especially with the holidays quickly approaching.
“Vaccines remain the best public health measure to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission, and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging,” said Dr. Amanda Norwood, Local Health Authority and WCCHD Medical Director. “COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. Everyone five years and older are encouraged to protect themselves from COVID-19 by getting fully vaccinated, and everyone ages 16 years and older should get a booster shot when eligible.”
Williamson County is just the latest in Texas to have a lab-confirmed case, just two weeks after the first known case was identified in Harris County on Dec. 6.
Among the recommended precautions, health officials say, are for those to wear masks, follow social distancing practices, staying home if you're getting sick, getting fully vaccinated, and taking advantage of vaccine boosters now available. The same protective measures also apply to those who were diagnosed with COVID-19 previously, officials said.
While the omicron variant is believed to be highly transmissible, officials say it is still too early to know the severity level of disease. Cough, congestion, runny nose, and fatigue are among the symptoms common with the omicron variant, similar to other COVID-19 variants.