No significant changes in testing, vaccinations since omicron emergence

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By Nick Papantonis

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County officials said there have been no significant changes to the number of people coming in for testing or vaccinations at county sites since the omicron variant was discovered last month.

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Data was not immediately available for testing, but a daily breakdown was provided for vaccinations. At the county’s sites, an average of 155 people have gotten a first, second or booster dose each day this week.

Live updates: California reports 2nd omicron case in 2 days

That’s a small rise from the 114 average vaccinations seen leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday, when the discovery was announced. Around a third of those appeared to be booster shots.

Still, with roughly one in four Orange County residents unvaccinated, there’s room to improve. President Joe Biden made vaccinations a key focus of his new plan to prepare the United States for a winter surge and the spread of the variant.

See: 9 things to know about the new omicron COVID-19 variant

Omicron COVID-19 variant On Nov. 26, the World Health Organization classified a new variant, B.1.1.529, as a “variant of concern” and named it omicron. (WFTV Staff)

COVID-19 omicron variant On Nov. 26, the World Health Organization classified a new variant, B.1.1.529, as a “variant of concern” and named it omicron. (WFTV Staff)

COVID-19 omicron variant On Nov. 26, the World Health Organization classified a new variant, B.1.1.529, as a “variant of concern” and named it omicron. (WFTV Staff)

COVID-19 omicron variant On Nov. 26, the World Health Organization classified a new variant, B.1.1.529, as a “variant of concern” and named it omicron. (WFTV Staff)

COVID-19 omicron variant On Nov. 26, the World Health Organization classified a new variant, B.1.1.529, as a “variant of concern” and named it omicron. (WFTV Staff)

COVID-19 omicron variant On Nov. 26, the World Health Organization classified a new variant, B.1.1.529, as a “variant of concern” and named it omicron. (WFTV Staff)

COVID-19 omicron variant On Nov. 26, the World Health Organization classified a new variant, B.1.1.529, as a “variant of concern” and named it omicron. (WFTV Staff)

COVID-19 omicron variant On Nov. 26, the World Health Organization classified a new variant, B.1.1.529, as a “variant of concern” and named it omicron. (WFTV Staff)

COVID-19 omicron variant On Nov. 26, the World Health Organization classified a new variant, B.1.1.529, as a “variant of concern” and named it omicron. (WFTV Staff)

COVID-19 omicron variant On Nov. 26, the World Health Organization classified a new variant, B.1.1.529, as a “variant of concern” and named it omicron. (WFTV Staff)

READ: Altamonte Springs testing wastewater for omicron variant

As of Thursday, Florida continued to see some of the lowest infection rates in the nation, thanks to its warm winter climate and the summer surge that came close to overwhelming hospitals. At the time, officials hoped it was the last significant surge before COVID-19 becomes endemic, or always present without threatening hospital capacities.

Those hopes could change depending on what scientists discover about the new variant in the next week and a half.

READ: 9 things to know about the new COVID-19 omicron variant

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