SALT LAKE CITY — Governor Spencer Cox urged Utahns to get vaccinated and booster shots as the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is hitting the state.
"After weeks of steady declines in cases and hospitalizations caused by the Delta variant, Omicron has arrived. As expected, case numbers are increasing exponentially as this variant is far more contagious," the governor said in a series of tweets posted on his personal account.
🧵After weeks of steady declines in cases and hospitalizations caused by the Delta variant, Omicron has arrived. As expected, case numbers are increasing exponentially as this variant is far more contagious. Fortunately we know much more than we did just a couple weeks ago. 1/
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) December 30, 2021
Gov. Cox said the good news was the variant appeared to have less hospitalizations and cases were more mild.
"All of that being said, our hospitals are still very busy with Delta patients, RSV and now flu season picking up. The next few weeks may be a little bumpy, but we have more tools than ever before to protect ourselves!" he wrote.
Gov. Cox continued to urge Utahns to get their vaccines and boosters.
Vaccines (especially boosters) remain the best way to protect against all variants. N95 masks can also help add a layer of protection. Avoid large crowds esp if vulnerable. Please stay home if you feel sick. Testing sites will be carrying heavy loads, so please be patient. 5/
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) December 30, 2021
The governor ended his Twitter thread by saying that the variant may ultimately push us to the endemic phase of the pandemic. "Endemic" means that the virus would be more commonplace, similar to influenza and other viruses.
The best news is that several experts now believe this wave will help us move from pandemic to endemic phase and get things back to normal. We remain forever indebted to our amazing healthcare workers who continue to give everything to save lives. Here’s to a happy New Year. /end
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) December 30, 2021
On Thursday, the Utah Department of Health reported 3,563 new cases of COVID-19 and six new deaths. A number of counties shifted into higher transmission levels. Juab, Morgan, Sanpete, Wasatch counties moved to high transmission index.
