First Covid-19 Omicron cases confirmed in Central NY

Utica, N.Y. — The omicron variant of Covid-19, which had been undetected in the United States until eight days ago, has made its way to Central New York.

Oneida County confirmed two cases of the omicron variant on Monday.

Statewide, there are now 12 known cases.

Before Monday, there were seven cases in New York City and one in Suffolk County.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Monday that two more cases were detected in Suffolk County, as well as two new cases in Oneida County.

The omicron variant was first detected in the U.S. after a San Francisco, California resident tested positive for the coronavirus on Nov. 28, six days after returning from South Africa, according to news reports. Since then, the omicron variant has continued to spread to at least 15 states throughout the country.

On Monday, Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. issued the following brief statement: “Oneida County has confirmed with the New York State Health Department that we have two cases of COVID-19 that have tested positive for the Omicron variant. We are conducting a full investigation.”

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