COLUMBUS, OHIO — The first known cases of the omicron variant in Ohio the Ohio Department of Health reported Saturday.

ODH said two cases were detected in two men in central Ohio following genomic sequencing by the Ohio State University Laboratory.

“We have known that it would only be a matter of time until a case of omicron was detected in Ohio. The CDC believes that this variant has likely been circulating in the U.S. since November,” said Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff in a release.

“This variant’s arrival and the continued impact of the delta variant underscore the importance of our best prevention tool, which is choosing to be vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines, coupled with prevention measures, provide the greatest protection from severe illness resulting in hospitalization or death. If you have not yet been vaccinated, or are eligible for a booster dose, now is the time to go and get your shot,” he said.

Both men tested positive on Dec. 7 and are experiencing mild symptoms, officials said. In each case, the men received their initial COVID-19 vaccines more than six months ago and had not received their COVID-19 booster shots.

“While the arrival of omicron in Ohio is noteworthy, we must not lose sight of the fact that the delta variant continues to drive cases and hospitalizations very high. As of yesterday, there were 4,422 patients in the hospital with COVID-19, a high that matches what we experienced in January of 2021 during last winter’s surge,” Vanderhoff said.

“The hospitalizations in this Delta surge are largely being driven by unvaccinated Ohioans. Severe illness with COVID-19 is largely preventable thanks to vaccines," he said.

Vanderhoff added that early reports about omicron indicate that it may be more contagious and more likely to reinfect people.

He said it's important for Ohioans to get vaccinated and urged those who are already vaccinated to continue to follow prevention measures to protect themselves and others and to minimize the spread of the virus.