The Omicron variant is rising quickly throughout Missouri.

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), more than half of community sewershed samples tested from the week of December 20 showed the presence of the Omicron variant.

DHSS says it knows:
– The Omicron variant has mutated several times in ways that cause concern for public health experts; and
– Omicron has spread to several countries.

However, there are several things DHSS does not know, due to more data being collected:
– Transmissibility caused by Omicron;
– Disease severity caused by Omicron; and
– Degree to which vaccines and therapies protect against Omicron.

DHSS offers some tips on what you can do to protect yourself and those around you:
– Wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high community transmission;
– Frequent handwashing;
– Maintain physical distance from others;
– Get tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms; and
– Choose vaccination and get your booster dose.

To view the 32 locations where the variant was detected and find the DHSS interactive map, click on the link: <https://health.mo.gov/news/newsitem/uuid/4f7f4d39-7c5a-4a87-9967-1bd1c85caed3/presence-of-omicron-variant-rising-quickly-throughout-missouri>

You can find your vaccine at MOStopsCovid.com. You can find testing resources at Health.Mo.Gov/communitytest.