Omicron variant of COVID-19 may be the dominant strain of the virus in Florida’s Orange County after it was detected in wastewater samples, according to media reports citing state officials. The Orange County is home to America’s largest theme park resorts.

Even though clinical infections may be low in the area, the officials suggested that the Omicron variant– first discovered in South Africa– has quickly surpassed the delta variant in collections taken from wastewater sampling sites in Orange County.

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Sarah Lux, the utility spokesperson for Florida’s Orange County, said that sampling this week showed the variant represented almost 100% of the coronavirus strains in the wastewater facility samples, according to reports from Associated Press.

However, the infections in the area are hugely dominated by the Delta variant, specifically in those who are getting hospitalised with severe symptoms.

Meanwhile, the Omicron variant has made multiple countries press the panic button as the caseload across the globe continues to increase. United Kingdom, for two consecutive days, has broken its own record of highest new infections.

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Authorities reported 88,376 new confirmed cases on Thursday, almost 10,000 more than the previous record set a day earlier. Officials said 146 people infected with the coronavirus died between Wednesday and Thursday.

British officials have said the omicron variant of the coronavirus is spreading at an “absolutely phenomenal pace,” with case numbers doubling every two to three days.

United Kingdom’s Health Security Agency said another 1,691 omicron cases have been identified in the country, bringing the total to 11,708, though scientists warn the number is likely to be much higher, according to reports from Associated Press.

In response, France is set to impose travel restrictions for those coming from the United Kingdom. Regardless of vaccination status, travelers will have to quarantine for at least 48 hours upon arrival.

(With AP inputs)