The omicron variant was discovered in suburban Cook County on Tuesday, officials said.

       The case was identified in someone who did not suffer from any symptoms and had at least two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to a statement from the Cook County Department of Public Health. It comes a week after Illinois’ first omicron case was reported in a Chicagoan who made contact with someone from another state who tested positive.

       The public health department is currently testing other cases for omicron — while warning that the highly contagious delta variant is still surging.

       “As expected, Omicron has arrived in suburban Cook County and we must take every possible precaution to prevent this highly-contagious variant from spreading rapidly,” Dr. Rachel Rubin, senior medical officer of Cook County, said in a statement. “Vaccinations, including booster shots, are vital. Masking indoors in all public spaces is mandated in the county and must continue. And we urge unvaccinated residents to not attend any holiday celebrations or social events during this time.”

       More than half of U.S. states have detected omicron cases as of Wednesday morning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

       First reported in South Africa on Nov. 24, omicron has been deemed the second-most serious type of variant — “variant of concern” — by the World Health Organization.

       The variant was first confirmed in the U.S. on Dec. 1 in a San Francisco-area resident who had just returned from South Africa. Then a Minnesota resident reportedly tested positive for omicron after attending an anime convention in New York City, where more cases have been detected.

       The WHO also said that omicron poses a “very high” risk and has cropped up in a growing numbers of countries in Europe, Asia and elsewhere.

       The new variant seems to have a large number of mutations that could mean it’s more transmissible. But much uncertainty remains, such as whether symptoms from the new variant could be more severe or whether the existing coronavirus vaccines are as protective.

       So far, many cases in vaccinated individuals have reportedly resulted in mild symptoms.

       First omicron case reported in suburban Cook County

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