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Surveillance monitoring has detected the omicron variant in four wastewater systems in a Western State, the Department of Public Health and Environment has announced during a media briefing on Thursday.

The state has already seen a steady decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases as of Thursday. There is a positivity rate. It would mean the number of PCR tests performed in the state. They would come back positive as compared to the overall population. Moreover, the state’s hospitalization rate is, in fact, also trending downward.

Surveillance Monitoring – New Omicron Variant Case

In an announcement of an Omicron Variant case, the State Epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy announced the statewide total to five. Therefore, this is the first case. It does appear to acquiring in various cities in Colorado, she said.

“Really, at this point, that is really the transition we’re looking for. The point is to go from a place where we are seeing intermittent imported cases of the Omicron variant. This would be to a place where there is more local transmission is seen. Also, then, of course, we are going to be tracking the proportion of those specimens. They will be sequencing to look at the transition over time. Moreover, where are going to start to see a burgeoning percentage of those specimens that is sequencing as omicron,” said Dr. Herlihy.

Therefore, it is no further detailing that is regarding the patient are giving.

The wastewater system in several cities in Colorado detected the Omicron variant through surveillance monitoring. Also, in a system that is shared between two cities, Herlihy said. Also, the surveillance programs were, in fact, prior detected the omicron variant in another city in the municipal wastewater system.

Increased Transmissibility and Increased Reinfection

Also, the early data does suggest the Omicron variant may have increased transmissibility and the possibility for increased reinfection. In addition, to vaccine breakthrough infections, Herlihy said. Therefore there is data that shows the COVID-19 vaccine is highly effective in preventing severe disease, she added, also in vaccinated individuals who receive a booster.