Omicron subvariant detected in Mecklenburg County, health officials say

CHARLOTTE — Mecklenburg County has reported cases of the omicron subvariant of COVID-19, which has been seen across the globe.

Local, state, national and global agencies have been monitoring its spread.

[ALSO READ: Charlotte sees dramatically shorter COVID-19 testing lines; NC positivity rate down]

Mecklenburg County Health Director Dr. Raynard Washington said currently, the subvariant doesn’t appear as dangerous as the first wave of omicron cases. He said daily case numbers and percent positive rates of COVID-19 are starting to decrease.

Officials with Novant Health believe the latest COVID-19 wave peaked 10 to 12 days ago.

However, hospitals are still managing the influx of patients using limited resources.

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“So it’s important that we don’t use those hospital resources when we don’t need to,” Washington said.

Hospital officials said Wednesday they are hovering around 95% capacity, which is taxing hospitals because of staffing problems.

“If you’re having very mild symptoms, especially if you’re vaccinated and you know you have that protection on board, it is totally appropriate for you to reach out to your physician or go to urgent care and let the hospital be the last choice,” Washington said.

The omicron variant has been driving this latest surge because it is so much more transmissible than any of the other variants.

Former state senator battles COVID-19 for third time

Meanwhile, former North Carolina Sen. Tricia Cotham is currently battling her third bout with the virus.

“The last thing I wanted to do during this pandemic was to go to the emergency room,” said Cotham, who is also the daughter of a Mecklenburg County commissioner.

[ALSO READ: NC House member from Mecklenburg gives birth to 2nd child]

Cotham is a COVID-19 long-hauler and cannot shake the effects of the virus. She was admitted to an emergency room Tuesday and told the hospital was at 125% capacity.

“I was glad to hear I didn’t have a blood clot today, but I could in the future as a long-hauler,” she said.

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