Fairfield County Health Department on the lookout for new COVID-19 variant to hit

LANCASTER — As the COVID-19 virus continues to spread and mutate, health officials must be ready to combat it.

The latest challenge is the new Omicron variant. Fairfield County Health Commissioner Joe Ebel said he would be surprised if the new variant doesn't infect people locally.

"It really just depends on how transmissible this new variant is," he said. "From what little bit of information I've seen it seems like it is much like the Delta variant and it does transmit very easily. If that's the case, it could take off. But right now, we're still seeing over 90% of all our cases are the Delta variant."

Ebel said the best way to protect against the new variant is to get vaccinated and a booster shot. He said over time a person's immunity wears down, but the booster pumps it back up. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that everyone over 18 get the booster.

COVID-19 in Ohio: Omicron COVID variant not yet found in Ohio, but experts believe only a matter of time

COVID-19 in Ohio: What we know so far about the newest 'variant of concern,' called omicron

Ebel said the booster will work with either vaccine a person originally got.

The county health department reports 1,225 people got the first vaccine dose last week and that 55% of county residents have received at least one dose. Also last week, 15,819 people received a booster shot.

County officials had hoped the vaccine rate would be around 60%.

"I think the people that really wanted the vaccine got it right away, then it kind of slowed down," Ebel said. "So I think people that are reluctant to get the vaccine still haven't got it or maybe trying to wait this whole thing out. Some people that have had the virus are assuming that they've got immunity because they've already been infected once."

Even those who have had COVID should still get vaccinated, he added.

More: Health department to conduct three-year county health assessment early next year

The number of virus cases in the county increased by 1% last week with 393 new reported cases and 16 hospitalizations. There have been seven COVID-19 deaths so far this month, after the virus killed 34 people last month.

As for the latest variant, Ebel there is not a lot known about it and as far as how dangerous it may be, how transmissible it may be and how effective the vaccines are.

While no one knows the future, Ebel said it's logical to think COVID cases would rise this holiday season and winter like flu cases normally do. He did offer a caveat, though.

Your support helps keep the lights on at the Eagle Gazette. Stay connected with our daily stories, in-depth reporting and more by

clicking Subscribe

"This pandemic has been kind of anything but normal, so it's hard to make a prediction," Ebel said. "We had a large spike in cases in September and October, so that might mean we're not going to see that big of a spike as we usually see in December and January. But it's really too soon to say."

However, he said, a new variant like omicron could cause cases to increase.

"I think it's going to be a couple weeks before they have enough information to know how effective the vaccines are and other information about this variant of concern," Ebel said. "But that's just that. We're concerned about it. They need to do some research and get some more information so we can then have a better plan to make sure if it is going to be an issue that we're prepared for it."

That preparation includes testing for the virus.

The health department gave out more than 1,200 test kits last week for home testing and still has kits available. Visit www.fairfieldhealth.org for more information on how to get one.

Along with the pandemic, flu season has arrived. The health department says people can get the COVID vaccine and flu vaccine at the same time. Call 740 652-2800 to schedule an appointment at the health department for the vaccines.

The county health department is located at 1550 Sheridan Drive, Suite 100.

jbarron@gannett.com

740-304-9296

Twitter: @JeffDBarron

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Health department urges vaccines and boosters in light of new variant