Two cases of the omicron variant have been detected in North Texas, just days after Texas’ first case was confirmed in the Houston area.
Frisco-based Ayass Bioscience identified the cases Wednesday, and the Texas Department of State Health Services, which investigates and verifies variant cases, confirmed them Thursday afternoon.
The spread of the new COVID-19 strain is unsurprising, said Dr. James Cutrell, associate professor of medicine in the Department of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. At least 40 people in the U.S. have tested positive for the variant, which has been found in nearly 60 countries, the Associated Press reported.
Experts also say the spread of the variant is unlikely to slow down any time soon. Since the first Texas case was reported in Harris County, at least 8 other cases have been identified in the area by Houston Methodist.
Here’s what you need to know about the presence of the omicron variant in North Texas.
What we know about the new variant
The omicron variant, first detected by scientists in South Africa, appears to have more than 30 mutations in the coronavirus’ spike protein, which could affect how easily it spreads.
Preliminary research may suggest omicron is milder than the delta variant, but leaders at the World Health Organization said Wednesday that it’s too early to tell the impact of the new strain.
Earlier this week, South African scientists said the new variant appeared to spread twice as quickly as delta, the dominant variant in the U.S.
What we know about the two confirmed cases
The cases involve a 35-year-old man from Tarrant County and a 40-year-old man from Collin County, Ayass Bioscience said. The 40-year-old patient, who lives in Plano, reported mild symptoms, while the 35-year-old patient, who got tested after being exposed to the virus, reported no symptoms.
Both men received the Pfizer vaccine, but neither got a booster dose, said Dr. Mohamad Ayass, president and founder of Ayass Bioscience. Neither patient has a recent travel history.
Collin County Health Care Services confirmed Thursday that the 40-year-old patient tested positive for the new strain. “At this time, it is the only lab-confirmed case of the omicron variant in Collin County,” said Darrell Willis, public information officer for the country’s health care services department.
A Tarrant County Public Health official said the department is in the process of reviewing the case of the 35-year-old man.
What patient travel history can tell us about community spread of the variant
Neither the two North Texas omicron patients nor the first omicron patient identified in Harris County had any recent travel history, meaning the patients likely contracted the virus locally.
“It’s pretty clear that there’s been evidence of community transmission going on in the state and likely in North Texas,” said Cutrell, the UT Southwestern professor.
Houston has also detected the omicron variant in eight of its wastewater treatment facilities.. The plants where the variant was identified aren’t concentrated in one area.
“That tells us, more than likely, that the variant is here, circulating in the community already,” said Houston Health Department spokesman Scott Packard.
How to protect yourself against omicron
The best line of defense against the variant, Cutrell said, is to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Pfizer said Wednesday that a booster dose of its vaccine may protect against omicron even though the initial two doses appear less effective. The Pfizer booster dose is available to anyone ages 16 and older who received the first two doses of the vaccine at least six months ago.
“We’re in the midst of the holiday season, and people are traveling more, getting together with family and gathering. We really want to encourage people to get fully vaccinated and get their booster before they start doing all that traveling and gathering,” Cutrell said. “But, also, make good decisions about using masks and getting tested before you go to a large gathering.”
