Public Health Reports 14 Cases Related to Omicron Variant, Urges Those Potentially Exposed to Get Tested | The Canadian News

Montreal public health authorities have confirmed that 14 cases of the omicron variant COVID-19 have been detected in the city.

Of the 14 infections, five may be related to people who traveled outside the country, while the other nine are believed to have been infected in Canada, suggesting “limited local transmission.”

Spokesperson Jean Nicolas Aubé said that two people, unaware at the time that they were COVID-19 positive, visited a gym on West Island and a community center in LaSalle.

Therefore, anyone who was at Buzzfit Kirkland, located at 3240 Jean-Yves Duclos St. in Kirkland between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on December 1, 5 or 6, should be tested even if they do not have COVID- 19. symptoms and are adequately vaccinated. Similarly, anyone who has been to the Center culturel et communautaire Henri-Lemieux, at 7644 Édouard St. on December 4 between noon and 2 pm should be tested.

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Affected individuals are asked to get tested in the mobile detection unit in the Jewish General Hospital parking lot at the intersection of Bourret Avenue and Légaré Street or in the CLSC park extension at 7085 Hutchison Street. According to Aubé, those are the only two facilities equipped to measure and identify the Omicron variant.

If people cannot go to either of the two screening clinics, they can go to a local testing center and mention that they may have been exposed to the Omicron variant.

“But be sure to let them know that you are going there because of this specific action that we are doing today,” Aubé said, adding that people can book an appointment by logging into the Quebec government website and mentioning the Montreal Public Health.

Montreal Public Health said last week that it would take a preventative approach to COVID-19 infections involving the Omicron variant, including aggressive protocols to isolate cases and trace contacts.

“We know that the Omircon variant spreads very quickly, but we don’t know its severity,” Aubé said.

“So as we learn more and more about this variant, I suppose our approach will adjust and change. But until we know more, we will maintain this very repressive approach. “

Preliminary information cited by public health suggests that the Omicron variant is 2 to 3.5 times more transmissible than the Delta variant, with an increased risk of reinfection.

In addition to asking people to get tested, Aubé urged Montréal residents who are not yet tested to get vaccinated.

“Go get vaccinated and stick to these simple rules we’ve said a thousand times: keep your distance, wash your hands … that’s what you need to do.”

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