DC Health Officials Confirm 1st Omicron Variant Cases In Four Residents

WASHINGTON, DC —Four cases of the COVID-19 omicron variant have been detected in Washington, D.C., the first confirmed cases of the variant in the District, health officials said Sunday afternoon.

The D.C. Health Department said Sunday that each of the four cases had no known connection to one another. Virginia reported its first case of the omicron variant last Thursday, and Maryland reported its first cases on Dec. 3.

District officials said all four people had been fully vaccinated. One person was eligible for a booster but had not yet received it, while it was unclear whether the remaining three had received a booster.

City health officials said the four people who have the variant are:

• An adult female who traveled domestically to Florida and New York. She had been fully vaccinated and was eligible for the booster vaccine but had not received it yet. All close contacts have been contacted and have been provided guidance by the DC Health Contact Trace Force.

• An adult female who traveled domestically during the Thanksgiving holiday to Maryland. She had been fully vaccinated and her booster vaccine status is unknown. All close contacts have been contacted.

• An adult male with no known travel. He had been fully vaccinated and his booster vaccine status is unknown. There were no known exposures or close contacts.

• An adult female who traveled domestically during the Thanksgiving holiday to Virginia. She had been fully vaccinated and her booster vaccine status is unknown. All close contacts have been contacted and have been provided guidance by the DC Health Contact Trace Force.

Everyone 5 and older should get vaccinated, D.C. health officials said Sunday. Anyone 16 or older who has received their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna on or before June 12, or who has received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on or before Oct. 12 is encouraged to get a booster dose as soon as possible.

Residents can visit a doctor to get the vaccine, find a local pharmacy and schedule an appointment at vaccines.gov, visit a D.C. government walk-up location listed on vaccinate.dc.gov, or request a vaccination at-home by calling 1-855-363-0333.