NorCal lab helps with statewide efforts to track COVID-19 variants such as omicron

Although no cases of the new omicron variant of COVID-19 have been identified in the U.S. yet, California is preparing for when they are detected. The UC Davis Genome Center is helping in the efforts to track variants spreading in the area. The lab takes a look at all positive COVID-19 tests as part of UC Davis' mass asymptomatic testing program, and it has also examined samples from counties like Yolo, Amador and Nevada. "To me, it's only a matter of time before we see omicron in California," project scientist David Coil said.