State Health Department Addresses Concerns Surround Omicron Variant, Rising Hospitalizations

Health leaders say the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has now been detected in 23 different states, but not including Oklahoma.

The chief medical officer with the Oklahoma State Department of Health says it's possible there could be other variants reported in the future.

“As of today 5 million 15 thousand 8 hundred 46 total doses have been administered in the state, 2,065,916 Oklahomans are fully vaccinated, this includes 52.2 percent of the total population”, Keith Reed, Interim Commissioner OSDH.

“We hope to see a plateau very soon on it and hopefully with the number of vaccinations we have out there combined with natural immunity we will see less severe impacts from this one in the way of severe illness or hospitalizations”

Leaders say between a new variant and colder weather that keeps people indoors around others. They believe the vaccine is still the best tool to prevent COVID-19.