Omicron variant discovered in Chicago, marking first case of the COVID-19 variant detected in Illinois

Nathaniel Barajas receives a COVID-19 vaccine from registered nurse Leyda Rojas at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn on Nov. 24. Health officials say getting vaccines and booster shots are the the best way to control the spread of COVID-19 as cases grow again and the new omicron variant has emerged. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)