GOVERNOR J-B PRITZKER SAYS STATE OFFICIALS ARE CLOSELY MONITORING THE NEW COVID-19 OMICRON SUB-VARIANT. 

ALTHOUGH ILLINOIS IS CURRENTLY IN GOOD SHAPE, THE B-A-TWO VARIANT IS A CONCERN SAYS THE GOVERNOR. SO FAR, IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE HAVING THE EFFECT HERE AS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.

GOVERNOR PRITZKER SAYS THE STATE IS READY FOR A POTENTIAL SURGE, WITH PLENTY OF TESTS AND MORE COVID TREATMENTS AVAILABLE. HE'S ASKING SCHOOLS TO HAVE A SOLID TESTING PLAN IN PLACE IN THE EVENT CASES BEGIN TO RISE AGAIN.

THE B-A-TWO VARIANT WAS FIRST CONFIRMED IN ILLINOIS IN JANUARY. THE GOVERNOR SAYS IT'S ABOUT 30 TO 50 PERCENT MORE TRANSMISSIBLE THAN THE ORIGINAL OMICRON STRAIN.