These patients’ samples were to be tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) serologic test. (James Gathany/CDC 2020)

Santa Clara County has received its first report of a case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, county officials said Friday.

The case was reported Thursday involving someone who was fully vaccinated but has not received a booster. The person had recently returned from traveling out of the state and is currently in isolation, according to the county.

The case, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday approving Pfizer booster shots for 16- and 17-year-olds, is prompting county public health officials to encourage those who haven’t gotten vaccinated or a booster shot to do so.

“Although there are still many unknowns about this variant, we strongly recommend getting vaccinated and getting your booster if you haven’t already to help guard against Omicron,” Dr. Sara Cody, the county’s director of public health, said in a statement.

Appointments are available at county clinics by visiting http://www.sccfreevax.org and people can also find appointments at http://myturn.ca.gov or by checking with their doctor or local pharmacies.

Dan McMenamin is the managing editor at Bay City News, directing daily news coverage of the 12-county greater Bay Area. He has worked for BCN since 2008 and has been managing editor since 2014 after previously serving as BCN’s San Francisco bureau reporter. A UC Davis graduate, he came to BCN after working for a newspaper and nonprofit in the Davis area. He handles staffing, including coaching of our interns, day-to-day coverage decisions and management of the newswire.