As a new strain of COVID-19 called the omicron variant emerges, Marion County Public Health is monitoring the situation. Director Kim Dorn says some enhanced tracking may be required, but reminds residents that it’s an endemic virus.

“Public Health has been told we’ll be doing case tracking on travelers who come from areas where the variant is prevalent. I don’t think there’s going to be a lot of that, so we’ll see what they tell us as things progress. IDPH has told us they don’t know a lot about this particular variant yet, so we’re waiting to see. I think it’s important for people to realize that COVID is here to stay, whether it’s this variant or the next one, there’s always going to be another variant. I just can’t imagine that there isn’t. We all need to take a measured approach to it, because it’s always going to be there. We’re treating COVID like the flu here at the health department.”

The first cases of the variant in the United States have been identified. Dorn reminds everyone that personal hygiene and common sense are the best ways to maintain good health, and that vaccines are widely available. She says that if people have not yet been vaccinated, it’s never too late to start.