The First Omicron Case Found in Colorado: Get the Booster to Protect Yourself
According to local news stations, the first omicron case in Colorado was found in a woman from Arapahoe County who recently traveled to South Africa, the country where the Omicron variant was first detected in November.
Colorado is the third state to detect the omicron variant and the first to identify the alpha variant in December of 2020.
Despite statewide efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, the number of cases has significantly increased in Colorado over the holidays, leaving medical facilities and staff overwhelmed and overworked.
What can you do to protect yourself and those around you?
Simple steps such as wearing a mask, social distancing, washing your hands often, and avoiding close contact with people who are sick, can help you avoid being exposed to viruses like COVID-19.
In addition to personal precautions, the most effective way to prevent illness, hospitalizations and even death through COVID-19 is by getting vaccinated.
The COVID-19 vaccines are available to everyone 5 years and older regardless of immigration status or health care coverage. Most recently, the CDC updated its recommendations for booster doses of coronavirus vaccines to include:
Everyone ages 18 and older who received the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine should get a booster shot at least 6 months after completing their primary COVID-19 vaccination series
Everyone ages 18 and older who received Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine should get a booster shot at least 2 months after completing their primary COVID-19 vaccination series
CDC studies have demonstrated the ability of booster shots to safely increase protection against infection and severe disease related to COVID-19 and variants such as delta, alpha, and omicron.
The CDC also commented that the recent arrival of the Omicron variant to the United States, further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and other prevention efforts (masks, social distancing) to prevent the exposure and spread of the COVID-19 virus, especially during the upcoming holidays.
Tepeyac Community Health Center is currently offering COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots to new and current patients.
Please visit: www.tepeyachealth.org or call (303) 458 - 5302 to schedule an appointment today.