Omicron Variant Case Reported In Colorado: What To Know

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, CO — The first case of the omicron variant has been reported in Colorado, state public health officials confirmed Thursday.

A woman from Arapahoe County tested positive for the variant after she traveled to Southern Africa for tourism, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said.

She has minor symptoms and is isolated and recuperating at home, health officials said. She had been fully vaccinated when she was infected, and was eligible for the booster vaccine, but had not received it yet.

The woman had visited multiple countries in Southern Africa and flew back through Denver International Airport last week, officials said.

The Colorado State Public Health Laboratory conducted genome sequencing on the specimen taken from her case and confirmed the presence of the variant, officials said. The specimen had the signature S gene target failure diagnostic test profile that has been identified in omicron cases.

Colorado became the third state to detect the omicron variant — the first case was reported in California on Wednesday, and another case was reported in Minnesota Thursday.

"We knew that it wasn't a matter of 'if' the omicron variant arrived in Colorado, but a matter of 'when,'" Gov. Jared Polis said in a news conference Thursday afternoon.

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This case was identified after a positive test result through a routine case investigation by the Tri-County Health Department, and the case was then flagged by state epidemiologists for follow-up because of the patient's recent travel history, officials said.

An additional specimen was collected for genome sequencing, and state public health officials are working with Tri-County officials on the case investigation.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued an isolation order for the patient, and close contacts have tested negative, officials said.

People who have recently traveled internationally should be tested 3 to 5 days after their return with a molecular or PCR test, regardless of symptoms or vaccination history, officials said.

“Colorado has one of the highest rates of whole-genome sequencing in the country but of course testing relies on individuals going to get tested. Testing is a fundamental part of our response,” said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist.

“Getting tested, wearing a mask, getting vaccinated, physical distancing, washing your hands, all of those strategies remain the same. At this stage, we still have lots of questions about the severity and transmissibility of Omicron.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is coordinating all travel-associated interstate and international contact tracing efforts and will work with airlines to identify all passengers who may have been exposed to the Colorado case, public health officials said.

The omicron variant has been linked to a surge of cases in South Africa. The U.S. and dozens of other countries now have bans on travel from South Africa and seven other southern African countries.

The variant appears to have a high number of mutations — a factor could allow it to spread faster, scientists with the University of Cambridge said. So far, there is no indication the variant causes more-severe disease.

Coloradans ages 18 and older are urged to get their booster as soon as possible if it has been at least six months since they got their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, or at least two months since they got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, public health officials said.

Anyone, regardless of vaccination status, who develops symptoms should get tested immediately and isolate, officials said. There are more than 140 free community testing sites across Colorado.

>> There are more than 1700 vaccine providers across Colorado — find one here.