Omicron Lands In New Haven

The first case of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 has been detected in New Haven.

Mayor Justin Elicker and city Health Director Maritza Bond broke that news Thursday afternoon during a Covid-focused press conference held online via Zoom.

They said that the new highly infectious — and hopefully less lethal — variant of the novel coronavirus was detected in its first resident of New Haven last week. That’s one of five Omicron cases so far in the county, and nine in the state.

“We’re confident that, in two to four weeks, Omicron will surpass Delta as the major variant in the region,” Elicker said.

That is a cause for concern because of early indications that Omicron is much more transmissible than previous Covid variants. It may also — maybe, hopefully — offer a long way out of the pandemic by pushing aside the deadlier Delta variant. A Yale New Haven Health top doctor posited that very possibility on Wednesday when speculating on how this pandemic ultimately comes to an end.

All of this comes as Covid cases are increasing dramatically across the state and the country, with more and more primarily unvaccinated people ending up sick and in the hospital.

In a Thursday phone interview with the Independent, Elicker said the city’s first Omicron case was detected in a man in his 20s. He also said, as of Thursday late afternoon, the state’s number of detected Omicron cases statewide has increased to 40.

Elicker and Bond emphasized the importance of getting Covid-19 booster shots as Omicron likely begins to spread.

“While the statewide rise in cases and the emergence of Omicron is concerning, there is reason for optimism,” Elicker said in an email blast sent out Thursday afternoon. ​“Booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine increase neutralizing antibodies and booster shots are effective against the Omicron variant. And, last week the CDC and FDA authorized booster shots for individuals aged 16 or older.”

Bond also announced that the city, in partnership with Wren Laboratories, will be launching its first two Covid saliva test operations at 60 Sargent Dr. and on the Green starting on Monday. 

Unlike the nasal swab tests that went straight up the nose, Elicker said, these saliva tests should be less invasive.

The saliva test sites will be open at 60 Sargent Dr. on Sundays, Mondays, and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., and on the Green on Sundays, Mondays, and Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., starting Monday Dec. 20.