B.C. doctors seeing COVID-19 reinfection in patients who recently had Omicron
When patients who had an Omicron infection in December and January visit the Vancouver Infectious Disease Centre with cold and flu symptoms now, they’re often shocked to learn it’s possible they may have contracted COVID-19 a second time.
This comes as the rolling average of confirmed cases in B.C. is trending upward, and as health officials warn of an incoming sixth wave driven by a new variant of concern.
“We do believe the majority of new infections now are the BA.2 sub variant, the stealth variant, the more contagious variant. And that increases the likelihood of these repeat infections,” said centre director Dr. Brian Conway.
Family physician Dr. Anna Wolak says patients who believed their previous bout of Omicron protected them from future infections are surprised they can get the sub-variant only months later.
“Even if you had original Omicron in December, there is still the possibility there was enough variation in BA.2 to get you reinfected. And we are seeing that playing out around the world,” said Wolak.
Another reason for the rapid reinfections? Many people didn’t bother getting their booster shot after they recovered from COVID. Of those 12 and over who are eligible for a booster in B.C., 57.6 have received a third dose, according to the health ministry.
“The absence of a third shot in about half of the people is what’s fuelling the number of cases and the recurrence of cases. It can happen as soon as a few weeks after a particular individual had been infected and has recovered,” said Conway.
But Wolak says most people who had Omicron figure they are immune, regardless of whether they had the booster.
“There are a lot of people walking around with symptoms they are attributing to hay fever or allergies or just they think they have a cold. They don’t realize they are walking around with COVID,” she said.
Both doctors say public health needs to make sure British Columbians know reinfection is possible.
“COVID is not a one and done illness. It’s not like I got chicken pox as a kid, and I’m not going to get chicken pox again,” said Wolak.
Conway fears many people will end up learning this the hard way.
“I think the more we see of people getting it more than once, and then being reminded in a very stark way that COVID is still around -- hopefully word will get out,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi found dead at helicopter crash site, state media says
Iranian president, the country’s foreign minister and others have been found dead at the site of a helicopter crash Monday after a search through a foggy, mountainous region of the country’s northwest.
Court eases internet restrictions for Sask. man who matched with a 15-year-old girl on Tinder
A Saskatchewan man who had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder successfully appealed to shorten release conditions barring him from online dating.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Toxic drugs circulating in northeastern Ont., police say
Canada’s largest First Nations police service, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service issued a community safety alert as extremely toxic drugs are likely circulating in many of the communities it serves.