Ontario will not be changing public health measures amid discovery of first Omicron variant cases
Ontario's top doctor said he wouldn't be surprised to discover more cases of the Omicron variant but doesn't see the province implementing further public health measures at this time.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore made the comments at a news conference on Monday morning, less than 24 hours after confirming two positive cases of the B.1.1.529 COVID-19 variant, which was first detected in southern Africa.
The cases were found in two people from Ottawa who had returned from a trip to Nigeria through an airport in Montreal.
They were the first cases of the Omicron variant identified in Canada.
On Monday evening, Ottawa Public Health confirmed two more cases of the variant, bringing the total number of confirmed Omicron cases in Ontario to four. Public Health said that these cases are unrelated to the first two, although also found in individuals who have recently travelled to Nigeria.
Moore added that two other possible cases have been identified in individuals from Hamilton, although the results of genome sequencing of the two possible cases in Hamilton are forthcoming.
"We are investigating other cases so I would not be surprised if we find more in Ontario," Moore told reporters.
Moore said he does not foresee Ontario taking any steps back in its reopening plan at this time.
"If we see widespread presence of Omicron across Ontario, which is not the case at present, then we could review any measures that we need to take at a provincial level,” Moore said, adding that he doesn't have “a crystal ball.”
"If it's a less lethal virus, less impact on the hospital sector, and our vaccines can continue to work against it, we will continue our current strategy and not have to have any further public health restrictions."
There are also 375 people who have returned to the province in the last two weeks from the seven southern African countries under a federal travel ban, Moore said. The countries include South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini.
Moore said that local public health units are reaching out to those individuals to ensure they get a COVID-19 test.
The province has extended eligibility for free COVID-19 PCR testing for individuals who returned from those locations between Nov. 1 and Dec. 6.
The variant was first detected on Nov. 24 in a specimen collected on Nov. 9, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) who have since labeled B.1.1.529 as a variant of concern.
Preliminary information appears to show the Omicron variant has an increased risk of reinfection compared to other variants, potentially making it more contagious. At the same time, little else is known about B.1.1.529.
Moore added that it's also currently unclear how Omicron could impact Ontario's hospitals, how severe the symptoms can be or whether the vaccine is effective against it.
"When we saw Delta takeover to be a dominant strain, it was a three to four month transition," he said. "It may be a two to three months transition if it's more infective than Delta and we'll have to put in the precautions that are necessary."
"I know that this news of the variant feels concerning but vaccination in combination with public health individual protective measures has been working to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and its variants in our community."
Moore said that he anticipates a provincial announcement on an "enhanced strategy" regarding vaccination by the end of the week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW 'She was waiting for you': The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother in England
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
A Holocaust survivor will mark that history differently after the horrors of Oct. 7
This year's Holocaust Remembrance Day, which begins on Sunday evening in Israel, carries a heavier weight than usual for many Jews around the world.
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Oilers to play Game 1 vs. Canucks on Wednesday
The Edmonton Oilers will play Game 1 of their second-round series against the Canucks in Vancouver on Wednesday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members and honoured her late mother during separate ceremonies Sunday in Victoria as she wrapped up a three-day British Columbia West Coast royal visit.