-->

Missouri reports first case of Omicron variant in state

December 2021

Health officials in the Show-Me state announced the first presumed case of the COVID-19 variant Omicron. The St. Louis Health Department detected the variant in an area resident over the weekend. There have been no other reported cases in the state.

A St. Louis resident became the first in the state of Missouri to have an identified case of the omicron variant, the Department of Health and Senior Services announced late last week.

Scientists continue to monitor the potential risks posed, as well as the degree of protection provided by vaccines and therapies against this new virus strain.

According to a DHSS news release, the St. Louis resident had recently traveled domestically. The Department was notified of the presumed positive by a public health partner. The CDC has yet to confirm the results.

“The Delta variant is still the predominant variant present in Missouri, currently representing well over 99 percent of the cases. Citizens are urged to complete their vaccination series for COVID-19 and get their booster,” said DHSS Director Donald Kauerauf.

It is not yet clear whether Omicron is more transmissible compared to other variants, including Delta, according to an update from the World Health Organization (WHO).

In late November, the California and San Francisco Departments of Public Health confirmed a case of COVID-19 among an individual in California was caused by the Omicron variant. The individual had mild symptoms that are improving, according to WHO. This was the first confirmed case of the Omicron variant detected in the U.S.