Public health officials are cautioning people about a possible spike in COVID-19 after the holidays.

Dallas County Health Department Public Information Officer Ann Cochran says looking at the pattern of COVID-19 since it began, it is very likely there will be a spike in cases after the holidays.

“People, despite lots of advice and so forth, are going to get themselves into social settings that are too crowded and among people that they don’t know their status as far as being infected. Just my humble opinion is yes we will have a spike after the holidays.”

Cochran says the new Omicron variant of COVID-19 is very contagious and those who are vaccinated could carry the new variant while not showing any symptoms, which could also play a part in the potential increase in COVID-19 cases. She continues to advocate for eligible individuals to get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot.

For a COVID-19 vaccine location in Dallas County you can go here.