Omicron Cases Detected In Santa Cruz County

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Two cases of the highly transmissible omicron variant of COVID-19 were detected in Santa Cruz County.

The samples were collected Thursday and Friday from North County residents in their mid-20s, the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency announced Tuesday.

“While we must remain vigilant against COVID-19 and Omicron, this new variant is not a cause for panic. It is important that we collectively focus on the things we know prevent the spread of COVID-19 and its variants,” said Dr. Cal Gordon, Santa Cruz County deputy health officer, in a statement.

All but a handful of states have confirmed cases of the omicron variant, which has been detected across the Bay Area. The variant was likely circulating in the region for weeks, according to Contra Costa Health Services, which announced its first cases of the variant Monday.

Though the omicron variant accounts for nearly three-quarters of new cases in the United States, the delta variant is still widespread.

The delta variant comprised nearly 99 percent of California cases as of December, according to state statistics last updated a week ago. The omicron variant made up the rest of those cases.

Officials urged Santa Cruz County residents to get vaccinated, wear masks indoors and in crowded areas, get tested if they experience symptoms and stay home if they're sick.

Sign up for a vaccine in Santa Cruz County online. Anyone age 5 or older is eligible.

The rise in omicron cases prompted the University of California, Santa Cruz to notify students that the first two weeks of school would be held remotely.

"This shift in instructional delivery will give us two weeks with reduced in-person activities and allow us to identify COVID-19 cases and take appropriate measures to mitigate further spread through our campus community," UC Santa Cruz said.

UC Santa Cruz said it planned to offer in-person classes beginning Jan. 18, but will continue to monitor guidance from health insurance.

There were more than 580 active known cases of COVID-19 as of Monday, county data shows. Santa Cruz County has seen nearly 22,000 known cases since the beginning of the pandemic.