Pitt County’s Health Director Dr. John Silvernail was notified by Vidant Medical Center of Pitt County’s first Omicron variant case of the COVID-19 virus. This variant was identified through the Vidant / Brody School of Medicine’s COVID-19 Sequencing Laboratory.
The person tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month. The individual, who is less than 30 years of age, experienced mild symptoms and has since recovered. According to a news release from the Pitt County Health Department, individuals who were exposed to this patient were reached by contact tracers and have been given guidance to prevent further spread of the virus.
The Health Department said two more Omicron variant cases have been recently identified in Pitt County, but details are not available this time.
“I am not surprised that the Omicron variant has made its appearance in Pitt County. The increase of travel and close gatherings due to the holiday season have made transmission more likely. I anticipate that more cases will be identified over the next few days and weeks to come,” said Dr. John Silvernail in a news release.
The first case of omicron was detected last week in a student at University of North Carolina Charlotte. That student was isolated and has recovered. Officials say exposure was limited with only one known contact.
