B.C. confirms 4 more cases of Omicron COVID-19 variant
Another four cases of the concerning Omicron COVID-19 variant have been confirmed in British Columbia, health officials announced Tuesday.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the latest cases were identified over the weekend, and all involve people who recently returned from international travel.
There are also a number of "suspect and pending" cases that Henry said are likely to be confirmed as Omicron soon.
"That is not a surprise," she added. "As we've said, once we start to look for it, it is likely that we are going to find it. We know this virus travels quickly and it travels in people and when people move the virus strains move with them."
Of the five cases confirmed in B.C. so far, three involve people who were fully vaccinated, each with a different combination of COVID-19 vaccines. The other two cases involve people who were unvaccinated.
The individuals range in age from 18 to 60, and most of them recently returned from travel to African countries, including Nigeria and Egypt. One recently returned from Iran, officials said.
Henry said they have all had mild or asymptomatic reactions to the virus so far.
Last week, the B.C. government confirmed that 204 people had been identified as recent travellers to Omicron-affected countries, and that each was being tested and told to isolate.
There are now rules in place requiring international travellers arriving from everywhere except the U.S. to be tested at the airport. Those who are fully vaccinated must then quarantine at home while awaiting their results, and those who are unvaccinated must quarantine for two weeks at a designated facility.
Canada has also temporarily banned entry to foreign nationals who have recently travelled to Nigeria, Malawi, Egypt, South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini.
B.C.'s provincial health officer acknowledged the anxiety being created by the emergence of a new variant, which experts have noted has an unusually high number of mutations, and encouraged people to support one another until more information is gathered on Omicron.
"Our brains abhor uncertainty. It's one of those things that can cause stress and depression in people and we've been living with this uncertainty for a long time," Henry said.
It's unclear whether Omicron's mutations make it more transmissible, cause more severe illness, or decrease vaccine effectiveness. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has said the current vaccines are "expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths" even for those infected with the new variant.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
Manitoba man sentenced to house arrest for keeping fishing tournament funds meant for Children's Hospital Foundation
A Manitoba man who pleaded guilty to keeping the funds raised from an ice-fishing fundraiser for the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba has been handed a sentence of 18 months house arrest.