The San Bernardino County Public Health Department recently detected the Omicron BA.2 variant and is carefully monitoring its spread and offering free antigen tests. Gary Daigneault has the latest County COVID-19 update.
In the last 14 days, 99 percent of positive COVID-19 cases were identified as Omicron. Of those, 8.5 percent were of the BA.2 variant which now accounts for about 8 percent of cases throughout March. Overall, the County’s COVID-19 positivity rate remains below 4 percent, down from a high of 31 percent in January 2020. County Public Health Officer Dr. Michael Sequeira recommends people have antigen testing kits on hand in case they are exposed or have symptoms of COVID-19. Free over-the-counter antigen tests kits are available at County COVID-19 and State testing sites and County libraries. Proof of living, working, or attending school in San Bernardino County is required for a free test kit. Parents are encouraged to bring children to receive kits for the entire family.
San Bernardino County test kit information: sbcovid19.com/rapidtests
County’s Covid-19 website: sbcovid19.com
County COVID-19 hotline: 909-387-3911.
Government free tests available to order through the U.S. Postal Service: www.covidtests.gov.
