The omicron variant has reached North America. How prepared is Kansas City?

Canadian scientists have identified two cases of the omicron variant, the latest mutation of the virus that causes COVID-19. These cases mark the first appearance of this highly contagious variant in North America. Here’s what we know about it, and what you can do to prepare.

Is the omicron variant dangerous?

So far, the effects of the omicron variant are unclear. It’s still too early to know much, but we’ll all learn more in the coming weeks.

What scientists know so far is that the variant seems to be highly transmissible, meaning it can travel easily from person to person. Scientists are still studying whether the illness this mutation causes is any worse than the illness caused by other mutations like the delta variant.

On Monday, Nov. 29, President Biden called the variant “cause for concern, not a cause for panic,” and urged Americans to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Early signs suggest that omicron may cause relatively mild symptoms.

“It has not caused a spike in hospitalizations or death yet in South Africa, which is really good news,” said Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer at the University of Kansas Health System, during the health system’s daily briefing on Monday. “No loss of taste or smell so far, and they haven’t seen the severe respiratory illness, but it’s still early on.”

Has the omicron variant reached Kansas City?

The omicron variant has not yet been identified in Kansas City. However, due to its seemingly high transmissibility, it’s likely that the variant will get here eventually. Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical advisor to the president, called the variant’s arrival in the United States “inevitable” in a Nov. 29 statement.

How can Kansas City residents prepare for the variant’s arrival?

“The rules are always the same,” Stites said at the University of Kansas Health System’s briefing on Monday. “The rules for infection prevention and control… keep you safe going forward. So watch your distance. Wear your mask. Wash your hands. Get vaccinated.”

Vaccination is the best protection currently available against all of the virus’ mutations, Stites and Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control at the University of Kansas, said at the briefing.

“We don’t know how well the vaccines work for this [variant] yet,” said Stites. “What we hope is true, and what has been true with all the other variants, is that vaccination does help protect you.”

Health officials at the local and national level are urging concerned individuals to get vaccinated or get a booster shot as soon as possible. The delta variant is still the dominant COVID-19 strain in the U.S, and getting vaccinated can help prevent its most serious effects.

Just over half of the city of Kansas City’s population has been fully vaccinated as of Nov. 23.

All fully vaccinated adults are eligible to receive a booster shot six months after their initial vaccination with Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two months after their initial Johnson & Johnson vaccine. You can get a booster shot at many local clinics and pharmacies around Kansas City.

Are COVID-19 cases on the rise in Kansas City?

The seven-day average of new cases in the Kansas City metro area has been rising for roughly a month. Stites said this increase could be caused by colder weather leading to more indoor gatherings, while an end to mask mandates could be leading to more indoor transmission of the virus.

Here’s where you can get a free COVID test in the Kansas City area.

“In the face of omicron, we are also dealing with an increase of cases in our community, and that’s from delta,” Hawkinson said during Monday’s briefing.

Here’s where masks are still required in the Kansas City area.

“Just because there aren’t mask mandates doesn’t mean you can’t wear masks when going out and about,” Hawkinson told The Star on Nov. 18. “We know that for the people who wore masks in high risk situations around other people, we know that the mask did prevent exposure and infection even if they were in higher risk areas, especially when coupled with vaccination.”

Do you have questions about the omicron variant or how to stay safe from COVID-19? Ask our Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com or fill out the form below.