Illinois health officials say the Omicron variant is cause for concern, not panic

SPRINGFIELD, Ill - (WICS/WRSP) — As more and more information is discovered about the new Omicron COVID-19 variant being detected around the world, Illinois health officials say they aren’t overly concerned as of now, but are constantly monitoring the situation.

The new variant has prompted travel restrictions from certain countries to the U.S., and some states like New York have already declared a state of emergency in preparation for the variant's expected discovery within the country.

Dr. Brian Miller is a cardiologist at the Prairie Heart Institute in Springfield and President of the Sangamon County Board of Health. He says early data show the Omicron variant spreads very easily, but so far it doesn’t seem to cause major illness in those it infects.

Miller says that one concern of his is that easier transmission means more opportunities for future mutations. He adds that it’s unclear right now how much protection vaccines will offer against Omicron.

“They don’t know how protective the vaccine is, but on the other hand, if the degree of illness isn’t very bad to begin with from this variant, the question is how much protection do you need?" Miller said.

In his recent discussions with state and local health officials, Miller says there is concern around the new variant, but it is not a time to panic about it. He is not predicting any type of new restrictions or business shutdowns in Illinois because of Omicron.

For both Miller and national health officials, they say that getting vaccinated is still your best option for protection against COVID-19 and against the new variant.

In a statement a spokesperson with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) said:

"We continue to learn about this newest variant and will monitor for Omicron. No cases of Omicron have been identified in Illinois at this time. IDPH sequences the entire viral genome so we will detect any variant that is emerging. People should continue to follow prevention strategies such as wearing a mask in public indoor settings, washing your hands frequently, and physically distancing from others. While we are still learning about the current vaccines’ efficacy against Omicron, looking at the vaccines’ effectiveness against other variants, it is anticipated the vaccines will be at least partially protected. IDPH recommends everyone 5 years and older get vaccinated, and those who are eligible for a booster, get one."