December 22nd, 2021
Today, the highly transmissible Omicron variant of COVID-19 was detected in Monroe County by researchers at UR Medicine Labs laboratory. Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control released on Monday showed that Omicron likely accounts for as many as 73% of all current COVID cases nationally — it was simply a matter of time before the Omicron variant arrived in Monroe County.
These results underscore the need for residents to keep following common sense guidelines throughout the holiday season to protect themselves and their loved ones. Vaccination remains our top protection against serious illness and hospitalization from COVID, and boosters are especially important to help protect against Omicron. We continue to encourage people to Vax-Boost-Mask when in indoor public spaces and get a COVID-19 test if symptoms develop. Even if you are vaccinated, masking is the most effective way of limiting infections, particularly over the holiday season. In addition, we encourage people to:
-
Wear a mask while indoors
-
Stay home if you feel ill
-
Get tested before gathering with others or traveling over the holidays
There will be more details tomorrow from Monroe County Public Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Mendoza and the Chief Medical Officers of Strong Hospital and Rochester Regional Health.
