WATERLOO –
The Waterloo Region Public Health is investigating a series of COVID-19 cases related to two hockey tournament outbreaks believed to be related to the Omicron variant.
In a statement released Saturday morning, public health officials said 11 cases of COVID-19 are linked to a hockey tournament in London, Ontario, attended by the Hespeler Shamrocks hockey team, while 20 cases of COVID-19 are linked to another hockey tournament. in the Ajax-Markham area attended by the Cambridge Roadrunners.
Officials said there is a “high probability” that the outbreaks are associated with the Omicron variant.
That’s because four of the COVID-19 cases in the Hespeler Shamrocks team and one in the Cambridge Roadrunners team tested positive on a marker that officials said in the statement increases the likelihood that it is the Omicron variant.
The statement said there are also a large number of cases already associated with the outbreaks.
“It is very likely that the new Omicron variant is already here in the Waterloo region, and we expect it to spread rapidly,” said Dr Hsiu-Li Wang, Waterloo Region Medical Health Officer.
“We know that the best defense against COVID-19 and the new variant of Omicron is to get vaccinated and follow public health precautions. At this time of greatest risk, we are also advising residents to reduce non-essential social contacts. “
All high-risk hockey players and contacts were advised to stay home and self-quarantine until test results are available.
Reference-kitchener.ctvnews.ca