SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio-based Dr. Daren Patel says the omicron COVID-19 variant is here to stay. He’s urging people to get vaccinated if they haven’t already because this isn’t the last variant doctors are expecting to see.

What You Need To Know

  • Dr. Daren Patel, a San Antonio-based physician, is preparing for an influx of COVID patients as the omicron variant makes its way to Texas 

  • The first case of the variant was reported on Monday. The patient is a woman in her 40s and lives in Harris Country

  • Dr. Patel's chief recommendation is that everyone get vaccinated. He also said choosing to skip parties over the holidays may be a wise decision 

  • Dr. Patel says he isn't overly worried about omicron and that it is one of many variants we will have to deal with 

He’s getting ready for the possible influx of omicron cases.

“Two days ago, only two states had it. Now all of a sudden 12 states have it. That’s just what we know of,” said Dr. Patel, who works with Hillside Primary Care. 

On Monday, the first confirmed Texas case of omicron was reported. It involves a woman in her 40s who lives in Harris County. 

RELATED: First known COVID omicron variant case identified in Texas

Dr. Patel said the most important advice he can give everyone is to roll up their sleeve and get the shot.

“Get  yourself vaccinated. That’s what we’re telling our patients,” he said. 

The reason why it’s here to stay is the number of vaccinations worldwide.

“There’s no way we’re going to get the entire world vaccinated for this to eradicate,” said Dr. Patel.

Dr. Patel says to get help from a doctor immediately if you experience COVID symptoms so you can start treatment. Hillside Primary Care is testing every patient with symptoms for COVID. 

As we go into the holiday season, Dr. Patel is urging everyone to be extra careful.

“It’s OK to skip a party. It’s OK to make sure everyone else at the party would be safe rather than sorry,” he said. 

Still, Dr. Patel said that overall he’s not too concerned by this new variant because he knows it’s not the last one we’ll experience.

“This does not worry me at all at this point. Like I said, this is just another variant. After this, we’ll have yet another one that will show up. The only thing we’ve got to do is learn from the last year and a half, last two years and utilize the resources that we have. We also need to do our part and get tested and treated whenever you do experience the symptoms. This is going to be our life from here on,” he said.