Sask. government confirms first case of Omicron variant
Saskatchewan is reporting its first case of the Omicron variant.
Four people from one household screened positive for the variant, a statement from the Ministry of Health said. The family has a travel history to one of the countries of concern identified by the Government of Canada.
These individuals and their close contacts have all been identified and are currently isolating,” the statement said. “Contact investigations underway have confirmed that the risk of community transmission is low.”
The tests will undergo whole genome sequencing to confirm they are the B.1.1.529 variant. The ministry said the geographical region of these cases will not be reported.
The ministry said additional Omicron cases are anticipated, and residents should continue to adhere to pandemic-related restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19 and its variants.
On Wednesday, health minister Paul Merriman said based on the advice from the province’s chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab, the best way forward is to stick with the status quo.
“The best thing is to get vaccinated, make sure you’re doing your social distancing and you’re adhering to the public health guidelines like wearing your mask when you need to. That’s what Dr. Shahab is saying,” Merriman said.
The minister added Dr. Shahab would likely provide more information on the current Omicron situation in Saskatchewan on Thursday.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority said it is keeping a close eye on the Omicron variant, saying it does raise concern.
“We understand, based on the evidence, that [Omicron] is perhaps more transmissible than other variants. But we don’t know yet what the severity of that particular variant would be,” Will said. ”It’s a bit of an unknown for us.”
Dr. Dennis Kendel, a physician and public policy consultant, said vaccinations appear to be the prime defence against the variant.
“There’s no doubt that it spreads quite aggressively, but the really good news is it sounds like the vaccines are equally effective against it as they were against Delta, so it doesn’t look like it’s going to pose a greater risk in terms of severity of illness,” Dr. Kendel said.
He said to reduce to spread, everyone should get their COVID-19 booster shot as soon as they are eligible.
In Saskatchewan, everyone over the age of 50 is currently eligible to receive their booster shot once six months has passed from their second dose.
“As we have become familiar with [the Delta variant], we were becoming more complacent and feeling that everybody who was vaccinated was well protected. For the most part, vaccination is really good protection but there can be breakthrough. We probably need to minimize mixing in large groups,” Dr. Kendel said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Disability Benefit needs to safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
BREAKING Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
Six Canadian children repatriated from detention in Syria, Global Affairs Canada says
The Global Affairs Department says six Canadian children have been repatriated from detention in northeastern Syria.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.