ALAMEDA, Calif. (KRON) – Five ‘mildly symptomatic’ cases of the omicron variant have been reported in Alameda County, according to the Public Health Department.

Health officials say 12 local COVID-19 cases have been linked to a wedding on Nov. 27 in Wisconsin — One of them attended the wedding after returning from international travel.

A California lab identified the five infected with the omicron variant using genomic sequencing, but data is not available for all 12 cases at this time.

These cases are among people between the ages of 18 to 49.

The health department says that one person is from Berkeley and the remaining 11 are in Alameda County.

The 12 people have been vaccinated and most of them have received a booster shot, according to officials.

None of the 12 people have been hospitalized as the symptoms are mild.

The Public Health Departments in Alameda County and the City of Berkeley are investigating the cases and notifying those who have been in close contact.

Residents are reminded to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by:

  • Get vaccinated and boosted, if eligible
  • Stay home if sick
  • Get tested if symptomatic or exposed
  • Wear a mask indoors
  • Wash your hands
  • Avoid crowded and poorly ventilated indoor settings
  • If gathering or traveling, get tested before and after

Doctor Peter Chin Hong says we have yet to see severely ill patients with omicron.

“So far, it doesn’t seem to be causing serious disease at least in the United States with the cases we have here.”

It’s unclear how effective the covid vaccines are, but Doctor Chin Hong believes it could be a protective layer to the new variant.

“Whether or not I might get a mild illness as this emerges in the U.S. remains to be a question but recently being booster I might escape that.”

As more omicron variant cases continue to rise, state leaders and health experts are asking people not to panic, but remain vigilant.

Dr. peter chin hong says we don’t have to do anything different, but he continues to encourage people to get vaccinated and get their booster shot.