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
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.