Omicron now dominant COVID-19 variant in New Hampshire

CONCORD, N.H. — The omicron variant is rapidly spreading in New Hampshire, health officials said Tuesday, noting that more than 90% of COVID-19 specimens tested Monday showed evidence of the new variant.

The omicron variant has quickly spread around the world, but it was slower to show up in New Hampshire than in other parts of the United States. Health officials said that last week, the estimated proportion of specimens identified as omicron increased from 30-40% to 75%, before rising over 90% Monday.

Health officials said Monday that active cases of COVID-19 rose to 17,208, the highest ever in New Hampshire. Hospitalizations increased slightly to 377, about 100 less than they were a month ago. ...