Omicron COVID-19 variant confirmed in London region: MLHU
A day after a cluster of COVID-19 cases "highly likely" linked to the Omicron variant were reported, one case with the new variant has been confirmed, according to the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU).
The health unit was informed Tuesday afternoon that whole genome sequencing of the sample was completed and confirms that Omicron has arrived in Middlesex-London.
On Monday, the MLHU reported that based on travel history and screening positive for a specific marker associated with Omicron, there was a "strong probability" that the variant had arrived in the region.
The two cases were linked to travellers who arrived in London from Nigeria in late November.
There are now 40 cases connected to the cluster, which officials say involves 171 high-risk close contacts.
MLHU Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Alex Summers said despite not having additional test results they are treating all cases in the cluster as linked to Omicron.
“The chances that the other cases associated with this cluster are Omicron are essentially 100 per cent. In my view, there may be one or two cases that are coincidentally linked here but are actually caused by the Delta variant. However, given our investigation to date, we are treating all cases associated with this cluster as though they are a result of the Omicron burial variant.“
So far a number of locations from day cares to a church have been associated with the cluster or potential close contacts including:
- God's Favourite House church (14 cases)
- Princess Elizabeth Public School (one case)
- Delaware Public School (two cases)
- St. Marguerite d'Youville Catholic Elementary School (five cases)
- St. Nicholas Catholic Elementary School (three cases)
- St. Mary Choir and Orchestra Catholic School (two cases)
The three Catholic schools have closed for the week due to the large number of staff and students required to self-isolate as a result of being possible close contacts.
One major difference from previous outbreaks is that with Omicron even fully-vaccinated close contacts are being asked to quarantine to minimize the risk of transmission. With previous variants they would need to get tested but not self-isolate.
The health unit says it is continuing to follow up with persons under investigation for the variant and close contacts of confirmed cases.
Summers says the key now is "...we must continue as a community to make sure that we're doing everything we can to reduce our risk of COVID transmission as we head into the holiday season, which means getting vaccinated, wearing your mask, making sure that mask fits and reducing your social contacts through this holiday season."
Additional confirmations of the variant in other connected cases are expected in the coming days.
- With files from CTV News London's Marek Sutherland
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.