A look inside: B.C.'s whole genome sequencing lab on the hunt for Omicron COVID-19 variant
Every positive COVID-19 sample in B.C. is now being sent to the province’s whole genome sequencing lab in Vancouver, where they are being analyzed to determine if the patient was infected with the Omicron variant.
B.C. Centre for Disease Control microbiologist Natalie Prystajecky said the variant "has a characteristic genetic sequence."
"It has over 50 mutations across the entire genome, and even just 30 of the them in the spike alone," she said. "So when we are looking at the data, we are looking specifically for those mutations.”
This week, the unique mutations were detected in the positive test of a person who had recently returned to B.C. from Nigeria. It was B.C.’s first case of the Omicron variant.
The sample had been analyzed using a specialized rapid detection method, which is able to complete whole genome sequencing in about 30 hours, rather than the typical method which takes three to five days.
The rapid result method is being used on positive tests from travellers that had been to impacted regions, and their close contacts.
“It’s very focused on a limited number, but we can get an indication very quickly that this is an Omicron case, which is what we found. And then that’s fed up to people who need to know in public health, so they can take action,” said BCCDC senior scientist John Tyson.
The BCCDC lab can perform whole genome sequencing on 800 samples per day.
“And that exceeds the number of positives in the province so right now, we are going back and sequencing positives from earlier in November, just to make sure we haven’t missed any cases,” said Prystajecky.
So far, only one case has been confirmed to be the Omicron variant in B.C.
“We will need to time to see how quickly it will compete with the current Delta variant that is widespread,” said BCCDC medical director Mel Krajden, adding “We won’t know how effective the current vaccines are against this strain until we have more people infected.”
Correction
This story has been updated to correct the number of mutations seen in the variant. It's more than 50, not 15.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Some customers steaming after McDonald's ends free hot drink sticker program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Biden scores endorsements from Kennedy family, looking to shore up support against Trump and RFK Jr.
U.S. President Joe Biden will accept endorsements from at least 15 members of the Kennedy political family during a campaign stop in Philadelphia on Thursday as he aims to undermine Donald Trump and marginalize the candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public
New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.
Prince William returns to public duties after wife Kate's cancer revelation
Prince William will return to public duties on Thursday for the first time since his wife Kate revealed she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy for cancer.