Denton County Public Health (DCPH) reported the first known case in Denton County of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.529, named Omicron.
The individual resides in Fort Worth and had recent domestic travel history. To protect the patient’s confidentiality, no further information will be released.
Based on available research on the Omicron variant, preliminary data shows it to be more easily transmissible. Thus far, the Omicron variant does not appear to cause different or more serious symptoms.
“The Omicron variant test result here in Denton County underscores what we already know: COVID-19 remains an ongoing pandemic and Denton County has continuing risk,” stated Dr. Matt Richardson, DCPH Director. “Vaccines, boosters, and preventative practices remain our best way to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
DCPH also reported one Denton County community member died as a result of COVID-19, bringing the total to 754 deaths due to COVID-19 in Denton County. Today’s reported COVID-19 death was a male in his 70s who was a resident of Prairie Estates in Frisco.
DCPH reported 191 new cases of COVID-19 in Denton County, of which 185 are active cases. This increases the cumulative, countywide total to 112,941 COVID-19 cases. DCPH also reported 138 newly recovered cases of COVID-19, increasing the countywide recovery total to 107,160.
To minimize spread of COVID-19, DCPH asks unvaccinated community members to:
- Maintain at least six feet of physical distance in public settings and when around individuals outside of the household
- Wear masks or face coverings, which should cover both the nose and mouth, in public settings and when around individuals outside of the household
- Wash and/or sanitize hands frequently
- Stay home if you are symptomatic, have recently had close contact with a person with COVID-19, or are awaiting COVID-19 test results
- If you are 5 years old or over, get your COVID-19 vaccine
If you are fully vaccinated, CDC recommends mask use in public indoor spaces and getting a booster dose when eligible.
If you are moderately to severely immunocompromised, please consider an additional dose of mRNA vaccine after your initial two doses.
For local COVID-19 vaccine information, including booster and third doses, visit DCPH's COVID-19 vaccine page. For additional COVID-19 data including active case information by municipality, hospital capacity, and ventilator utilization, visit the DCPH stats page. For information regarding DCPH’s upcoming testing centers, please visit dentoncounty.gov/COVID19testing.