Marin's First Omicron Case Detected

MARIN COUNTY, CA — Marin health officials on Friday confirmed the county’s first omicron infection, and all indications are it isn’t an isolated case.

The infected person had recently traveled to the East Coast and was fully vaccinated but had not yet received their booster, county officials said. The person is in isolation with mild symptoms.

Low levels of omicron were detected in several samples of Marin wastewater, county officials said.

The hyper-contagious COVID-19 variant has been detected in most Bay Area counties and is spreading rapidly globally and across the United States.

Omicron has been classified by the CDC as a “variant of concern.”

Marin’s first omicron detection should be no surprise, Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis said.

“This confirms what we expected,” Willis said in a statement Friday.

“Omicron is here, but we know what it takes. Getting a booster dose is the most important step. And stick with the steps that have protected us so far: get vaccinated, cover your face, ventilate rooms, and get tested often.”

Based on data from other regions where omicron has been active, county health officials are cautioning residents that the type of surge other regions are now experiencing could soon come to Marin.

“Much remains to be learned about how omicron behaves,” Deputy Health Officer said Dr. Lisa Santora said.

“It’s unwelcome news at this stage in the pandemic, but we have a lot of control over our risk. We’ve benefitted from high vaccination rates so far, and we’ll continue to lean into the protection of vaccines to meet the next challenge. It’s time to get boosted.”

Evidence is mounting that initial doses aren't enough to effectively prevent against infection with the variant, county officials said, noting that 87 percent of eligible Marin residents have been fully vaccinated.

About 95,000 residents, almost half of those eligible, have received a booster dose, county officials said.

Because older residents are at higher risk for serious illness if infected with COVID-19, Marin County Public Health has set a goal that 75 percent of residents age 55 and older will have received a booster dose by mid-January.

Booster doses are available through local healthcare providers, as providing the vaccine is now part of routine healthcare.

Anyone who is unable to access a vaccine from their provider can look to local pharmacies or Marin County Public Health vaccine clinics for options.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccines and to find an available vaccination appointment, visit here.