Omicron Is About To Become The Main Covid-19 Variant In Hawaii, Health Officials Say

Hawaii health officials have found evidence that the omicron variant of the coronavirus is likely in Maui County and Hawaii County.

At a press conference Wednesday, health department officials said they have identified four specimens from Hawaii Island and two from Maui that have a molecular clue suggesting they may be the omicron variant of Covid-19.

The state has confirmed just 74 omicron specimens statewide, but Hawaii health officials said Wednesday they’re certain the highly transmissible Covid variant is much more widespread.

“The omicron variant is either already or about to become the predominant variant in our state,” Ed Desmond, administrator of the Hawaii laboratories division of the health department, told reporters. “It’s spreading like wildfire compared with delta, which was considered a very transmissible strain.”

Read more: https://www.civilbeat.org/2021/12/omicron-is-about-to-become-the-main-covid-variant-in-hawaii-health-officials-say/