That Persons traveling and returning to Nigeria, In West Africa.
These are the first Canadian cases of the Omigron variant, which is of concern around the world because it is said to spread very easily.
Both affected Ottawa residents have been isolated. Dr. Moore says Ottawa Public Health is tracing their connections.
⁇ Both cases came to Montreal. The first test took place in Montreal. The results were obtained through a joint effort of the province of Quebec, the National Laboratory of Microbiology and the Institute of Public Health of Canada. ⁇
Dr. Ontario is investigating four possible cases of Omigron, two in Ottawa and two in the Hamilton area. Says Moore. Since we have a very strong surveillance system I would not be surprised to see more cases.
He said the province makes 100% of the genetic sequence of eligible positive samples.
Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer, has not announced any new action against the Omicron variant at this time.
Photo: Canadian Press / Chris Young
The Omigran variant was initially identified in South Africa, but cases have been reported worldwide.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) this variant provides Very high risk
Globally.
To date, no deaths associated with the Omicron variant have been reported
, UnderlinedWHO Monday. Corn Given the mutations that could provide the immune response to escape, there may be an advantage in terms of contagion, with Omigran more likely to spread globally.
.
The announcement was made by the central government last Friday Boundary closed for all passengers From seven South African countries (South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini and Namibia).
Dr. Moore says 375 Ontario travelers returning from those countries in the past two weeks have been in contact with public health for corona testing.
However, he did not announce any additional health measures during his press conference on Monday, explaining that he was looking forward to learning more about this variation in the coming weeks. If we find that Omicron is very prevalent in Ontario, we will evaluate the possibility of other health activities.
, he said. For example, it raises the possibility of restricting international air traffic to one or two airports.
Dr. Moore adds that this variant is currently unknown to anyone It is especially malignant and it makes patients very sick and hospitalized
. South African authorities have so far reported mild symptoms.
Concern among experts
Dr. is the Scientific Director of the Ontario Science Advisory Committee on Covit-19. Peter Juni, in an interview with CBC News on Monday morning, said the level of concern about the new variant was ten. 1 to 10.
What we see now in South Africa is that it takes three weeks to go from 5% to 95% Omigran, he says. It shows that we have a problem and that we need to take it seriously.
⁇ [Ce variant] Will dominate the world relatively quickly, but so far there is no indication that vaccines will work differently [contre Omicron] In order to prevent serious events. That is the good news. News: Get vaccinated. ⁇
Authorities must act quickly to delay taking the threat posed by the delta variance, he said. He recommends lowering the eligibility age for a third dose and having public health measures such as wearing a mask.
Virologist Hughes Lomba, a medical researcher at Montford Hospital in Ottawa, also believes. This is not the time to relax health measures
Saying that there is Omicron, the holiday is approaching Dangerous possibility
.
⁇ Can it lead to a more serious illness? At what point will the effectiveness of the vaccine decrease to the extent that a third dose is required to adapt to this new variant? There are still a lot of unknowns. ⁇
Screening for all passengers?
Noting that Nigeria is not on the list of countries targeted by Ottawa, it calls on the federal government of Ontario to make screening mandatory upon arrival, regardless of the birth of all travelers.
We really need improved screening of returning travelers
, Says Dr. Moore.
The Trudeau government is evaluating the demand and proposing to increase the number of countries targeted by its embargo.
Ontario says it is ready to face the new variant. Our hospital and intensive care capacity is consistent and the province continues to report one of the lowest rates of active patients in the country
Health Minister Christine Elliott and Dr Moore said in a statement on Sunday.
Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said the quick identification of the two Ontario cases proved the effectiveness of the monitoring system in the country.
Mr. Douglas wanted to reassure people on Sunday The vaccine, along with public health and personal safety measures, can be effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and its variants in communities.
.
However, he warned that more cases of the Omigron variant would be found in Canada.
