State health agency statement on new variant

South Carolina DHEC says it is closely monitoring emerging information on the newly-identified Omicron variant, as well as the CDC guidance on it.  “At this time,” according to the DHEC statement, “the CDC and DHEC have not identified any cases in South Carolina through sequencing of randomly selected positive samples.”  It further said information about the Omicron variant such as illness, severity, transmissibility compared to other variants and mono-clonal antibody treatments against it are not known at this time as data and information continues to be gathered.  DHEC re-iterates the best way to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, or death from COVID-19 infection is by:  receiving the follow-up booster shot when eligible; continuing to wear masks when indoors in public places; and practicing social distancing when appropriate.