And health chiefs have warned it raises the very real possibility of an imminent surge in numbers.
In the week up to Sunday a total of 598 new cases were recorded in Dumfries and Galloway – up from 562 the week before.
Director of public health Valerie White said: “It could well be that Dumfries and Galloway is currently experiencing the calm before the storm in terms of covid cases.
“Across much of the rest of Scotland we’re seeing numbers increasing, driven by the omicron variant. This variant is so highly transmissible, that just three weeks after it was first discovered it has now become the dominant variant in Scotland – driving out Delta.
“Any reason to think that Dumfries and Galloway will be any less immune to its rapid advances is dispelled by the fact that we are seeing an increasing proportion of new cases being omicron.
“We’re still learning about the variant and its impact on health, but a markedly increased number of cases is likely to see an increase in numbers requiring hospitalisation for treatment.
“And even before the omicron effect, our health and social care systems are already under very real strain.
“With such a transmissible virus, there is also the potential for staffing across businesses and essential services to be effected, as people are forced to isolate due to contracting the virus or by being a close contact.”
She called on everyone to get as fully vaccinated as possible against the virus and to regularly use lateral flow tests, especially before mixing with others.
Face coverings, social distancing and reducing mixing is also recommended.
Ms White added: “The current situation is so eerily similar to where we were at this time last year, when we saw the arrival of the Alpha variant over Christmas and the rapid spread into January.
“Please, do have a good festive period, but do everything you can to help stop the spread, and consider taking up the opportunity of vaccination at whatever stage you are at in order to provide the best degree of protection.”
