Oklahoma Confirms First Case Of Omicron Variant

Now that the Omicron variant has been detected in Oklahoma, the state health department wants to shift the focus on how we can best control the variant as it starts to spread throughout the state.

The U.S. confirmed its first case of the Omicron variant on December 1.

It took less than a month for Omicron to become the dominant strain, making up about 75 percent of new COVID cases right now.

In some states, that percentage is even higher.

In some neighboring states like Kansas, they are starting to see hospital beds become so limited they are asking health systems in Oklahoma to help take some of the patient load.

"Our system received a call from Kansas that they had something like 50 patients that they were going to try and transfer into Oklahoma," said Dr. Dale Bratzler, the chief COVID-19 officer for OU Health.

Experts everywhere are urging anyone who has yet to get vaccinated to do so, and for those who need a booster to get one.

Interim State Health Commissioner Keith Reed said wearing a mask, especially in crowded indoor places, can also help protect someone from infection.

As of its last check, Oklahoma is still averaging a little more than 1000 new cases of COVID-19 a day.