Omicron Variant Confirmed In Allegheny County

ALLEGHENY COUNTY — (WPXI) – Testing has confirmed the first two cases of omicron in an Allegheny County resident. According to a release from the health department, the first was from a man on December 7 and was confirmed to be the omicron variant on December 22. The second case, also found in a man on December 13 and was confirmed to be the omicron variant on December 2 “Omicron is highly contagious and is causing daily cases to rapidly increase in other parts of the country and world,” Health Department Director Debra Bogen said Wednesday during the county’s regular COVID briefing. “I expect we will see a rapid rise in the omicron variant in our county in the coming days to weeks.” Dr. Bogen continues to urge people to protect themselves and others by getting vaccinated, wearing masks, maintaining social distance, and getting tested when symptoms set in. Resources, including a Testing Site Locator and a Vaccine Provider Map, are available on the county’s website.