SPOKANE, Wash. — The omicron variant of COVID-19 has now been detected in Spokane County, according to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH).
The DOH has confirmed that at least one case of the variant was reported in Spokane County on Wednesday, but they did not share additional details about the case.
In a statement, Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) shared that as of Wednesday, Dec. 29, there are 272 new positive cases of COVID-19 in Spokane County and 65 people are currently hospitalized.
According to the SRHD statement, scientific studies are underway to learn more about the Omicron variant, but the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 is to get fully vaccinated and get the booster shot.
SRHD officials said the COVID-19 vaccine is extremely effective at protecting you from the virus and will help bring this pandemic to an end.
According to the DOH data dashboard as of Dec. 27, more than 68% of the Spokane County population have initiated vaccination and more than 62% are fully vaccinated.