A fifth concerning case of the COVID-19 Omicron variant has been confirmed in a traveler who recently returned to Ottawa, medical health official Dr. Vera Etches said Thursday.
While the five cases of the variant identified in Ottawa so far are traveler related, Etches said it is “possible” that Omicron is already in the community and could spread here.
“It’s hard to imagine that we could fully contain Omicron if it’s as infectious as it sounds,” he said.
Global News has contacted Ottawa Public Health for additional details on where the person traveled from and any information on high-risk contacts.
Meanwhile, OPH reported 32 new cases of the virus on Thursday, a sharp decline from the 74 cases seen on Wednesday.
Etches told reporters Thursday that she is concerned about the “steady and significant” increase in cases from week to week in Ottawa and asked residents to “limit” their high-risk activities and gatherings during the Christmas season.
Read more:
Ottawa Children Still at Risk Over the Holidays Despite COVID-19 Vaccine Progress, Etches Says
Eight new COVID-19 outbreaks were added to the OPH dashboard on Thursday, all affecting schools and other child care settings.
There are currently 34 outbreaks ongoing in the city, 23 of which affect elementary schools.
Etches said Thursday that OPH is beginning to implement rapid antigen tests in schools and neighborhoods experiencing high rates of COVID-19 as an additional screening tool for asymptomatic children.
The OPH dashboard also shows that there are now five people in the hospital with COVID-19 in Ottawa and one patient in the intensive care unit, one less than the day before.
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