Omicron wave exposed, infected 50 per cent of British Columbians: Henry
Fifty per cent of British Columbians were exposed to and infected with COVID-19 during the surge in cases driven by the Omicron variant, provincial health officials said Tuesday. The rate among those under 19 years old was higher, at 60 per cent.
The modelling presented was the first indication of how prevalent the virus has been in recent months, as testing has been restricted since capacity was overwhelmed late last year.
Dr. Bonnie Henry explained that the antibodies created by infection are different than those from vaccination, and can be differentiated in blood samples. Those caused by the virus indicate recent infection, because they “tend to fade away over time.”
Henry noted not everyone with the antibodies would have experienced symptoms or even known they had contracted the virus.
“The vast majority of those people are vaccinated. So it is a boost to the vaccine protection that they have already, which is a good thing.
“It means that most people didn't have very severe illness, and they have a bit of a boost to their immunity because they were exposed and infected with the virus. I know some people still got very sick with it, but they didn't end up in hospital, didn't end up in critical care, and that's because they had the protection from the vaccines, whether it was two doses, or more importantly -- three doses.”
Exposure to the virus combined with vaccination has, according to Henry, created a high level of immunity in the provincial population.
Still, Henry stressed, preventing further infections is important. The long-term impacts of the disease can be significant even after were fairly mild cases.
“People who get infected with this virus can develop long symptoms, even if they don't have very severe illness, and long COVID is a very real phenomenon that affects people,” she said.
“We know that this virus can cause inflammation of the heart, inflammation of the lining of the heart, of the blood vessels that can lead to things like strokes, and heart attacks -- that go on for a long time and can leave people with long-lasting effects.”
The figures Henry quoted come from a study done by the BC Centre for Disease Control and Lifelabs that screened samples collected from a representative sample of participants in Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health.
Henry said research shows that long COVID is far less common among those who are vaccinated. She and Dix repeatedly stressed vaccination as the principal strategy for preventing infection as the remaining provincial public health orders are set to be lifted and fourth doses are being rolled out to those most vulnerable to serious illness.
“We're in a place right now where we have a level of immunity, we have decreasing transmission in our communities, but you need to protect yourself from the risks of this virus, and it will change,” Henry said.
“We've seen that globally, that this virus will change. And so this is our best way of protecting ourselves for now and for the future.”
Tuesday’s briefing also included a change to how rapid tests will be distributed. Showing a care card will no longer be required when picking up a pack of five kits at a pharmacy. In addition, people will no longer be limited to picking up the tests once every 28 days.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
opinion Tom Mulcair: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's train wreck of a final act
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader and political analyst Tom Mulcair puts a spotlight on the 'spectacular failure' of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's final act on the political stage.
B.C. mayor gets calls from across Canada about 'crazy' plan to recruit doctors
A British Columbia community's "out-of-the-box" plan to ease its family doctor shortage by hiring physicians as city employees is sparking interest from across Canada, says Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi.
Two U.S. Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent 'friendly fire' incident, US military says
Two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down Sunday over the Red Sea in an apparent 'friendly fire' incident, the U.S military said, marking the most serious incident to threaten troops in over a year of America targeting Yemen's Houthi rebels.
'There’s no support': Domestic abuse survivor shares difficulties leaving her relationship
An Edmonton woman who tried to flee an abusive relationship ended up back where she started in part due to a lack of shelter space.
opinion King Charles' Christmas: Who's in and who's out this year?
Christmas 2024 is set to be a Christmas like no other for the Royal Family, says royal commentator Afua Hagan. King Charles III has initiated the most important and significant transformation of royal Christmas celebrations in decades.
Can the Governor General do what Pierre Poilievre is asking? This expert says no
A historically difficult week for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government ended with a renewed push from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to topple this government – this time in the form a letter to the Governor General.
Baseball Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson dead at 65, reports say
Rickey Henderson, a Baseball Hall of Famer and Major League Baseball’s all-time stolen bases leader, is dead at 65, according to multiple reports.
Arizona third-grader saves choking friend
An Arizona third-grader is being recognized by his local fire department after saving a friend from choking.
Germans mourn the 5 killed and 200 injured in the apparent attack on a Christmas market
Germans on Saturday mourned the victims of an apparent attack in which authorities say a doctor drove into a busy outdoor Christmas market, killing five people, injuring 200 others and shaking the public’s sense of security at what would otherwise be a time of joy.