November 30, 2021 10:40 a.m.

Officials with the Oregon Health Authority are expressing concern about the new COVID-19 variant known as Omicron.

It has been classified as a variant of concern by the World Health Organization.

Health officer and state epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger said, “What we do know is that the basic prevention steps we have long talked about remain the best ways to protect yourself against Omicron, Delta or any variant of COVID-19 that is circulating. Vaccination remains the best protection against COVID-19 infection and transmission, including most circulating variants”.

Dr. Sidelinger said Omicron has not yet been detected in the United States, but he expects it will be in the coming days due to its reported high transmissibility. He said, “Oregon has one of the most robust variant surveillance systems in United States, and so far, no cases of Omicron have been detected in Oregon”.

A full video statement from Dr. SIdelinger is linked: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LqIt3v7qJw