The Montgomery County Office of Public Health (OPH) has announced that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has been detected in a Montgomery County resident. This person is in their 20s and resides in Whitpain Township. OPH is coordinating with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

At this time, OPH is asking all Montgomery County residents to take precautions given the possibility that Omicron may be more transmissible. This includes wearing a mask in public indoor settings regardless of vaccination status and getting tested if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19. 

“Individuals who are not fully vaccinated remain at higher risk for contracting COVID-19, and for severe illness or death resulting from a COVID infection, than individuals who are vaccinated,” said Dr. Valerie A. Arkoosh, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “The best way to protect you and your family from the Omicron variant is to get vaccinated and get a booster dose if you are eligible.”

The County operates four vaccine clinics that administer the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost.

To view locations and hours, visit here. Residents can also visit here for a comprehensive collection of area vaccine clinics from all providers. 

“Getting vaccinated remains the best protection against COVID-19. Viruses normally mutate over time,” said Dr. Richard Lorraine, Medical Director for the Montgomery County Office of Public Health “A large pool of unvaccinated individuals enables the virus to continue to spread rapidly, and potentially mutate more rapidly. Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent the spread of the virus and slow the emergence of new variants.” 

Montgomery County OPH continues to encourage everyone five years and older to protect themselves from COVID-19 by getting fully vaccinated and encourages a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose for those who are eligible.

Residents are eligible to receive their booster dose if it has been six months from receiving an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) or two months from receiving a dose of J&J (Janssen) vaccine. Immunocompromised individuals should receive a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if it has been one month since they were vaccinated. 

For general COVID-19 questions or to register for the vaccine by phone, call the Montgomery County COVID-19 hotline at (833) 875-3967. The hotline is open five days a week, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. General questions can also be emailed to covid19@montcopa.org.

Montgomery County COVID-19 testing sites are open various hours each weekday at five locations across the County weather permitting. Testing is free and is available to anyone who lives, works or goes to school in Montgomery County.

Appointments can be made on weekdays starting at 7 a.m. online or starting at 8:30 a.m. by calling (610) 970-2937.