Omicron is Now The Dominant COVID Strain in Washoe County

Recent sampling of wastewater in Washoe County found a 10-fold increase in COVID-19 detection, as well as a high proportion of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, according to researchers from the University of Nevada, Reno. Data from the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility, where a majority of wastewater comes through for the area, first detected the presence of the Omicron variant Dec. 12th. The first COVID-19 Omicron variant case confirmed through sequencing was reported Dec. 20th. As of Wednesday there have been 61 confirmed COVID-19 Omicron variant cases in Washoe County. Kevin Dick, District Health Officer in Washoe County says “This data is predictive of the significant increase in new cases that we are currently experiencing.” He says Omicron is here in a big way.