HOUSTON (Talk1370.com) -- Texas has identified its first case of the omicron COVID-19 variant, state health officials announced Monday.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said the variant was identified in a woman in her 40s from the northwest part of the county. Health officials said in a release that she was fully vaccinated, with no recent travel history. She experienced COVID-19 symptoms and has not required hospitalization, officials said.
“The best way to protect ourselves and our community from this virus is to get vaccinated & boosted,” said Hidalgo.
The omicron variant, initially identified as B.1.1.529, was first discovered in South Africa in late November. As of Monday night, cases had been identified in at least 17 states.
State health officials are monitoring the variant, which is believed to spread more easily from person to person - though it's unclear if the variant is associated with more severe disease.
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Omicron is thought to be responsible for a small proportion of the current COVID-19 cases in Texas and the United States, officials said.
"It’s normal for viruses to mutate, and given how quickly Omicron spread in southern Africa, we’re not surprised that it showed up here,” said Dr. John Hellerstedt, DSHS commissioner. “Getting vaccinated and continuing to use prevention strategies, including wearing a mask when you are around people you don’t live with, social distancing, handwashing and getting tested when you have symptoms, will help slow the spread of the virus and help end the pandemic.”