Washington DC reports first cases of omicron variant

Washington D.C.’s health department announced its first cases of the COVID-19 omicron variant on Sunday.  

Officials confirmed that three women and one man in the city contracted the virus in unrelated cases. 

All four residents are fully vaccinated against the virus, though at least one woman in the group had not received her booster shot even though she was eligible.

Two of the women recently traveled over the Thanksgiving holiday to Maryland and Virginia, while another woman visited Florida and New York. The lone man had no travel history, according to the department. 

DC Health has confirmed four unrelated cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the District. All residents 5 and older should get vaccinated.

— DC Health (@_DCHealth) December 12, 2021

“DC Health wants to restate that everyone 5 and older should get vaccinated. Anyone 16 or older who has received their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna on or before June 12, 2021 or who has received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on or before October 12, 2021 is encouraged to get a booster dose as soon as possible,” the department said in a statement. 

More than a dozen U.S. states including Maryland and Virginia have reported omicron variant cases.

Health officials across the country are intensifying their calls for all American adults to get booster shots amid the threat of the omicron variant, which was first discovered in South Africa.

Data released by Pfizer this week showed a significant drop in the antibody response to the omicron strain with two doses, but that response, according to the pharmaceutical company, was restored with a third dose.