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
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Advocacy groups speak out against domestic violence comments by Nova Scotia minister
Several Nova Scotia groups that assist women are speaking out against comments on domestic violence by Justice Minister Brad Johns, and at least one is calling for his dismissal.
A couple lost their wedding rings during the ceremony. Two strangers found a fitting solution
Every good wedding has to have one teensy, tiny crisis.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.