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
Most Canadians support expansion of Old Age Security benefits: Nanos survey
Amid new polling indicating most Canadians support boosting Old Age Security (OAS) benefits by 10 per cent for seniors aged 65 to 74, a former Liberal finance minister and former Bank of Canada governor are warning the government not to pursue the policy change.
BREAKING Los Angeles prosecutors to review 1996 murder case of the Menendez brothers who killed their parents
Prosecutors in Los Angeles are reviewing new evidence in the case of the Menendez brothers, who were convicted of killing their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion more than 35 years ago, the city's district attorney said Thursday.
Health official confirms death of Ontario child following rabies diagnosis
An Ontario child has died after coming in contact with a rabid bat, a health official confirmed on Wednesday.
'You were innocent': Judge acquits Manitoba man 50 years after murder conviction
A Manitoba man convicted of murder 50 years ago has been acquitted. Clarence Woodhouse was found guilty in 1974 of fatally beating and stabbing a restaurant worker in downtown Winnipeg.
Garth Brooks accused of rape in lawsuit from hair-and-makeup artist
A woman who says she worked as a hair-and-makeup stylist for Garth Brooks alleged in a lawsuit filed Thursday that he raped her in a Los Angeles hotel in 2019.
Mixed verdict for 3 Memphis officers convicted in Tyre Nichols' fatal beating
Three former Memphis police officers were convicted Thursday in the 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, but were acquitted of the harshest charges they faced for a death that sparked national protests and calls for broad changes in policing.
Melania Trump says she supports abortion rights, putting her at odds with the GOP
Melania Trump revealed her support for abortion rights Thursday ahead of the release of her upcoming memoir, exposing a stark contrast with her husband, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, on the crucial election issue.
Defence minister says Israel has right to defend itself in 'proportional way'
Defence Minister Bill Blair says Israel has the right to defend itself in 'a calibrated and proportional way' following Iran’s ballistic missile attack against Israel on Tuesday.
Breast cancer patient says she had to lie to get a mammogram in Ontario
When an Ontario doctor refused to sign off on a mammogram for 38-year-old Sidra Lone, the mother of four says she was left with no choice but to lie.