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Nueces County leaders warn Omicron likely to arrive, urge vaccinations and boosters
Summary
Nueces County Judge Barbara Canales, Mayor Paulette Guajardo and local health officials held a joint press briefing saying the WHO has classified B.1.1.529 (Omicron) as a variant of concern, that the county’s vaccination rate remains about 52% and urging residents to get vaccinated, boosted and tested as officials monitor the situation.
NUECES COUNTY, Texas — County and city officials urged residents to get vaccinated and boosted during a joint press briefing in the commissioners’ courtroom, saying the World Health Organization’s Nov. 26 classification of the B.1.1.529 variant — known as Omicron — makes preparation urgent even though the variant had not been identified in the county at the time of the briefing.
"The most important thing you can do, the one lesson from today, is get vaccinated," Nueces County Judge Barbara Canales said, adding that officials from the city, county and local hospitals were coordinating a unified public‑health message. She also relayed early news about an antiviral under FDA advisory review, saying it "does show some efficacy with regards to severe illness and 30% less death," while noting the drug must still clear additional federal review before local rollout.
Health Director Annette Rodriguez told the public the local health district is tracking…
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