Alberta and British Columbia are reporting their first cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant that has now been detected in four Canadian provinces.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer, said the province’s case was confirmed in a traveler returning from Nigeria and the Netherlands.
“The individual tested positive while asymptomatic. I can confirm that this individual has not come out of quarantine since his arrival from international travel,” Hinshaw said Tuesday at a news conference in Edmonton.
“We have notified the person and their household and all necessary steps have been taken to prevent transmission.”
The variant of concern was first identified in South Africa after an increase in infections, but it is unclear where Omicron first emerged. Preliminary evidence suggests that the new variant is more easily transmitted.
BC also announced its first Omicron case on Tuesday. Ontario reported its first cases on Sunday and Quebec its first case on Monday.
Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC’s chief physician, said the province’s first case was confirmed in a person who recently returned from Nigeria.
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“They are isolating themselves and public health, as we do with all cases, is following up with them and their contacts at this time,” Henry said during a COVID-19 update in Vancouver.
He said that worrisome mutations can spread rapidly in places where there are low vaccination rates.
“This new variant of worry reminds us that we are in a global storm and it is not the same all over the world,” Henry said. “Equal access to vaccination is something that will be important to overcome this.”
#Alberta and #BC each confirm the first cases of the #Omicron # COVID19 variant.
The World Health Organization, which designated Omicron as a variant of concern last week, stated that it has a “large number of mutations, some of which are concerning.”
Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos announced Tuesday that all air travelers entering Canada will be required to undergo a COVID-19 test, even if fully vaccinated, and be isolated until the results are available.
Only people coming from the United States will be exempt.
Also on Tuesday, Egypt, Malawi and Nigeria were added to Canada’s list of border closures, which already included bans on foreign nationals from seven southern African countries, to protect against Omicron.
Several other countries have enacted similar travel bans, despite WHO urging countries to avoid these restrictions because “they place a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods.”
Hinshaw said Alberta is ready to deal with the new variant.
“While it is important that we all remain vigilant against COVID-19 to protect ourselves and others, I do not want Albertans to be alarmed,” said Hinshaw, adding that Omicron’s arrival was anticipated based on the appearance of previous strains of COVID-19.
“We are well prepared for this eventuality and we have the necessary tools to monitor this case and any possible spread of the variant.”
The goal is to delay the spread of Omicron as more information on the variant becomes available, Hinshaw said.
All western provinces are monitoring the variant. Manitoba and Saskatchewan have not yet registered any positive cases.
This Canadian Press report was first published on November 30, 2021.
Reference-www.nationalobserver.com