El Paso COVID-19 test samples examined for omicron in California lab
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) — El Paso is sending its COVID-19 test samples out of town as the omicron variant becomes the dominant version of the coronavirus in the U.S.
Cogent Diagnostic Laboratories in California is receiving samples from El Paso daily.
Angela Mora, El Paso Public Health Director, hopes the lab can help detect when the omicron variant is in El Paso as soon as possible.
All positive tests are sent to California, she added.
If the positivity rate increases, the city will shift its omicron surveillance method, Mora explained.
RECOMMENDED: El Paso health authority says rapid testing can help prevent outbreaks
As of Wednesday, the omicron variant has not been reported in El Paso.
Los Angeles called off its New Year’s Eve celebration, and Rhode Island re-imposed an indoor mask mandate due the omicron variant.
RECOMMENDED: COVID-19 testing steady in El Paso
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