The omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus has officially made its way into Ohio County.

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources COVID-19 dashboard is reporting two omicron cases in the county. Wheeling-Ohio County Health Administrator Howard Gamble said Tuesday those two cases were from tests conducted in late December.

Gamble also said that neither person traveled much during the time they got sick. One experienced mild symptoms and one fell more ill, but neither was hospitalized.

Gamble reminded residents that vaccinations, wearing masks, washing hands and maintaining social distancing remain the best ways to avoid COVID, regardless of the variant.

The website to order free at-home COVID test kits is now operational. People can register to receive the tests at special.usps.com/testkits.

Return to theintelligencer.net later for more on this developing story.