The Laredo Health Department reports that the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has confirmed the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Omicron Variant in Laredo.
The patient, a male in his 20’s who was fully vaccinated but had not received a booster, is no longer considered infectious. He was tested on Sunday, December 19, 2021. An exhaustive investigation follows this case.
The Laredo Health Department reminds the public of three important facts regarding Omicron that were recently published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
- Omicron is highly evasive
- Neutralizing antibody titers (Protection) against Omicron were high in:
Recipients of three-doses of mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) – primary series + booster;
Previously COVID-19-infected person + vaccinated with primary series after recovery.
- Neutralizing antibody titers (Protection) against Omicron were LOW/undetectable in:
Those previously infected but unvaccinated at six months; Recipients of only two doses mRNAvaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) at five months.
The Laredo Health Department continues to stress the necessity of getting the booster to prevent more infections and to protect yourself and others.
