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
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.
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.
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.
'A tiny city:' Pro-Palestinian campus protesters organize for another week
Pro-Palestinian activists have set up tents at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, following a wave of similar protests at campuses in the United States linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
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.
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.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.