Omicron variant of COVID-19 detected in Kansas City-area wastewater
The omicron variant has been detected in the Kansas City metro area, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said on Friday.
DHSS, which has partnered with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the University of Missouri – Columbia, identified the latest COVID-19 variant of concern in wastewater samples.
The first sample was collected Dec. 7 from the wastewater treatment facility in Little Blue Valley Sewer District, just east of of Raytown. The second, collected Dec. 8, was found in St. Joseph wastewater treatment facility sewershed in Buchanan County, according to a DHSS release.
“As we anticipated, due to the known high transmissibility, the omicron variant is in Missouri communities,” DHSS Director Donald Kauerauf, said in a statement. “Understanding that omicron is in our state, we need to continue to be vigilant in taking proven measures to protect ourselves from this and the delta virus that continues to be the dominant variant.”
Omicron was found in about 2% of the COVID strands identified from the two facilities, DHSS said, indicating that the variant is likely present in communities living in the sewershed areas. That percentage does not, however, indicate the number of people who are positive for COVID and the omicron variant in the area.
Back on Dec. 3, DHSS reported that the first positive case of the omicron variant had been detected in a St. Louis City resident who had recent domestic travel history.
On Thursday, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment said the state had found its first case of the omicron variant.
Kauerauf urged Missourians get vaccinated and get a booster shot as the best protection against COVID-19 and the omicron and delta variants.
“Those who haven’t been vaccinated are highly encouraged to do so. If it is time for your booster, it is critically important to get your booster today to maximize your protection,” Kauerauf said in the statement. “Getting the booster greatly improves your protection from Omicron. These are the same measures we’ve recommended all along and continue to be effective in decreasing your chance of getting sick and being hospitalized.”
He also recommended that as people gather ahead of the holiday season, they should remember to stay home when feeling sick and wear a mask while in public indoor setting.
In Missouri, 52% of the population has been fully vaccinated, while 2,005 people have been hospitalized from the COVID virus as of Dec. 14. Roughly 52% of people in Jackson County have been fully vaccinated as of Dec. 16 and about 39% of people in Buchanan County are fully vaccinated.
This story was originally published December 17, 2021 at 5:18 PM.
