Cases of Omicron COVID-19 variant found in Durham, Halton regions
Additional cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant have been confirmed in Ontario.
Health officials in Durham Region said that one person has tested positive for the COVID-19 Omicron variant, which marked the first confirmed case in the Greater Toronto Area and the fifth case in Ontario.
In a news release issued Thursday, Durham Region Health Department said the case was found in a close contact of a returning traveller from southern Africa.
The health unit said it is also monitoring other COVID-19 cases under investigation for the Omicron variant based on travel history.
“While this new variant is no reason for alarm, it is important to remain vigilant and continue to follow public health measures that have proven to be effective throughout the pandemic,” Dr. Robert Kyle, Durham Region Medical Officer of Health, said.
On Thursday evening, health officials in Halton Region reported one lab-confirmed case of the Omicron variant -- the sixth in Ontario -- and two probable cases.
All three cases are linked with one of the probable cases that recently travelled to Nigeria, according to the health unit.
Meanwhile, A COVID-19 outbreak was declared at the Toronto East Detention Centre after five people tested positive for COVID-19, including at least one who is confirmed to have contracted the Omicron variant.
Toronto Public Health declared the outbreak on Thursday afternoon, noting that it was doing so “out of an abundance of caution” because an individual linked to the facility was under investigation by the Durham Regional Health Department with a suspected case of the Omicron variant.
Little is yet known about Omicron at this point in time, including whether it is more contagious, causes more serious illness or renders vaccines less effective.
Scientists say it is of concern due to its high number of mutations. While the Omicron variant was first detected in South Africa, it may have already been widepsread before South African scientists flagged it to the world.
Four of the six Omicron cases found in Ontario so far are based in Ottawa.
Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore told reporters at a news conference today that he expects more cases of the variant will be confirmed soon.
“There'll be ongoing cases identified throughout today and in the coming days,” he said. “Our goal, in Ontario is just to dampen the spread of Omicron down over the coming weeks so that we can get the science from South Africa and international agencies like the WHO to understand this virus more fully.”
“It's a very dynamic situation. But we will see more cases and we potentially could see outbreaks, but we're on it.”
With files from CP24's Chris Fox
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.