1st Omicron COVID-19 Case Confirmed In Illinois

CHICAGO, IL — A Chicago who is fully vaccinated and has received a coronavirus vaccine is the first person in Illinois to have a confirmed case of the omicron variant. The case was confirmed Tuesday by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Chicago Department of Public Health.

Health officials said the Chicago resident, who did not require hospitalization, was in contact with another person with a confirmed case of the omicron variant. That person lives out of state and had visited Chicago, the IDPH said.

The Chicago resident's condition is improving, and they have been self-isolating since their symptoms began, officials said.

The news of Illinois' first omicron case comes as lab studies show that two Pfizer vaccine doses may not provide enough protection against the variant. But Pfizer this week said a third dose does offer protection against omicron.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker urged residents to keep taking precautions against the coronavirus — and get vaccinated.

"Scientists need time to learn more about the omicron COVID-19 variant, but in the meantime, we already know how to be vigilant," he said in a news release. "So, get your vaccine, get your booster, wear your mask indoors, wash your hands, and get tested for COVID-19 if you feel sick or have been exposed to someone who tested positive. I encourage all Illinois residents to make a plan for how to best protect themselves and their loved ones, especially in the holiday season."

IDPH laboratories continue to perform genomic sequencing of positive tests to identify any variants, including omicron.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the city and its health department are closely monitoring the latest variant.

"To meet the urgency of this moment, it’s crucial that our residents continue to get vaccinated and receive their booster shot," she said in a release.

The omicron variant was first reported by South African authorities on Nov. 24. The first U.S. cases were reported Dec. 1.

The variant has been found in more than three dozen countries worldwide, contains numerous mutations, and has been classified as a variant of concern by the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the IDPH said.

"Public health experts and scientists worldwide continue to study the newest variant, omicron, to determine if it spreads more easily, causes more severe illness, and how effective the current vaccines are against it," IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said in a news release.