'I'm increasingly concerned about this': Summers says of new COVID variant
The acting medical officer of health for Middlesex-London says he is “increasingly concerned” about the new COVID-19 Omicron variant.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned Monday that the global risk from the Omicron variant is "very high" based on the early evidence, saying the mutated coronavirus could lead to surges with "severe consequences."
During a media briefing Monday afternoon, Dr. Alex Summers said with the first few cases of Omicron being identified in Ontario over the weekend, the Delta strain remains the predominant strain of concern in our region, but that could change very quickly.
“We worry about variants for three reasons. One, is it more infectious or transmissible than any other variant? With Omicron, early indications out of South Africa and early incident evidence of transmission in Europe, suggests that it very well could be more transmissible than previous variants. It is out-competing the Delta variant quite pronounced widely in South Africa. The second reason we worry about variants is due to the severity of the illness that those variants might cause. As it stands, we're not entirely sure yet whether or not Omicron causes more severe outcomes or not. The third reason is whether or not the vaccine remains effective against these various strains.”
If the Omicron variant were to show up in Middlesex-London, Summers says the health unit would be notified through the province.
“The Public Health Ontario laboratory is doing whole-genome sequencing as well as screening of all samples at this time to determine whether or not they're Omicron or not. So we would be notified through the Public Health Ontario laboratory system if one of our lab results from our region screened positive.”
The WHO has stressed that while scientists are hunting evidence to better understand this variant, countries should accelerate vaccinations as quickly as possible.
If that’s the case and Ontario expands its third dose eligibility, Summers said the move would not impact kids between the ages of five and 11 getting the vaccine.
As we approach the colder months and holiday season, Summers is also encouraging people to take a look at the provincial regulations for gatherings and consider being even more conservative than is recommended.
“The current provincial regulation and rules limit gatherings of 25 for indoor social gatherings and it's absolutely critical that you don't go beyond that number. I would absolutely actually encourage you to keep that number smaller... I would strongly encourage folks to consider limiting your indoor gathering size as much as possible. And if you are having an indoor gathering with anybody who is not in your household, make sure everybody there is vaccinated.”
— With files from The Associated Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Thieves use stolen forklift to rip cash machine out of U.K. bank
Police in the U.K. are searching for a group of suspects seen on video using a forklift to steal a cash machine from a bank.
'There was a lot of black smoke': Crane operator sounds alarm while trapped during highrise fire in Halifax
A tower crane operator alerted emergency crews after noticing a fire on a construction site in Halifax Tuesday morning.