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First cases of omicron variant confirmed in Montana

A box with four vials
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The omicron variant of COVID-19 has been detected in Montana.

The Department of Health and Human Services on Monday announced it had confirmed the first two cases of the omicron variant in the state. DPHHS says two Gallatin county residents in their 30s who had recently traveled to South Africa tested positive for the variant. Both were fully vaccinated.

DPHHS says the two have mild symptoms and have been self-isolating.

Montana is the 46th state to have confirmed a case of COVID-19 caused by the omicron variant.

"This is not a surprise as nearly every other state has reported Omicron cases in recent weeks,” DPHHS Director Adam Meier said in a statement.

Wyoming confirmed its first case of omicron on Friday. The AP reports omicron has surpassed delta as the dominant strain of COVID-19, representing 73% of new cases last week.