156 travellers quarantining, no Omicron cases yet but 'very likely' to reach Alberta: Hinshaw
More than 150 people who returned to Alberta from southern Africa are quarantining as concerns over the Omicron COVID-19 variant grow.
Premier Jason Kenney said Alberta has not identified any Omicron cases yet, but 156 people are quarantining after travelling to southern African countries where the latest variant of concern was first detected.
As of Monday, Ontario and Quebec had identified a total of five cases of the variant, days after the federal government implemented enhanced border measures from southern Africa.
"It is very likely that Omicron will eventually reach our province," Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said on Monday.
"Our goal now is to delay the spread of Omicron until we learn more about it."
Alberta will expand its case investigation and contact tracing for COVID-19 cases who travelled internationally recently, Hinshaw said. The province will recommend PCR testing for their close contacts and rapid testing for household contacts.
Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated close contacts of confirmed cases among international travellers will be asked to quarantine for 14 days.
"We're taking these interim measures in order to prevent potential spread as early as possible, giving ourselves time to learn more about the variant," Hinshaw said.
"While there are many unanswered questions about how the Omicron variant will behave, we know a lot more about COVID now than we did before. This knowledge means we are not going back to Step 0."
Kenney also said Alberta is better prepared to deal with the latest variant and revealed the province would announce a "significant expansion" to vaccine booster shots soon.
The province also reported on Monday a combined 806 new cases and seven deaths over Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
3 Canadians shot, 2 killed, at Mexican resort: local officials
Two Canadians were killed and another was injured in a shooting at a Mexican resort near Playa del Carmen on Friday, local officials have reported. The shooting took place at Hotel Xcaret.
Canada-wide warrant issued for Sask. man charged with abducting his daughter
A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for a Saskatchewan man charged with the abduction of his seven-year-old daughter.
'They came with a knife': Afghan journalists face attacks and arrests
Under Taliban rule, journalists are being threatened, attacked and detained for their work while others, many of them women, have been forced from their jobs.
Baltic nations to ship Washington-endorsed arms to Ukraine
The Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will send U.S.-made anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine in a move that Washington says it is fully endorsing amid Kyiv's escalating tensions with Russia
'It feels like betrayal': Vulnerable families respond to COVID-19 changes as B.C.'s top doctor defends approach
When the provincial health officer told British Columbians she was removing isolation requirements and testing for most of the population and compared managing COVID-19 in similar terms to the flu or common cold, many people were shocked and some instantly alarmed.
Manitoba border deaths may be part of larger human smuggling operation: documents
U.S. agents have launched an investigation into a larger human smuggling operation after a family of four froze to death while attempting to cross into the United States from Canada near Emerson, Man. during a blizzard.
Ottawa beacon, pipe bands, town criers to mark Queen's Platinum Jubilee
The Queen has made no secret of her affection for Canada, which she has visited 22 times during almost seven decades on the throne Now Canada is preparing to honour the 95-year-old royal -- Canada's head of state and the world's longest serving monarch -- with a series of tributes to mark her 70 years on the throne.
Omicron wave may have peaked, but ICU numbers still rising steeply, says Tam
The fifth and latest COVID-19 wave driven by the Omicron variant may have reached its peak, says Canada’s top public health official, but hospitalizations and intensive care admissions, which lag behind infections, are still climbing.
PM says 24 Sussex Drive in 'terrible condition,' has no plans to live there
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says 24 Sussex Drive, the official residence of Canada's prime minister, is in 'terrible condition' and he and his family have no plans to move in during his time in office.
Calgary
-
Past the peak? Alberta experts cautiously optimistic as Omicron variant begins downward trend
Alberta’s health-care system remains under extensive strain with more people in hospital than at any previous time during the pandemic, but signs from wastewater analysts suggest the province is slowly beginning to surpass the peak of COVID-19 infections.
-
Former Calgarian who murdered girlfriend in 2002 receives life sentence with no parole for 17 years
Stephane Parent, who was found guilty of second-degree murder in October 2021, was sentenced Friday.
-
Calgary's inconsistent weather continues to cause water main breaks
The City of Calgary says roughly 200 homes, along with many businesses, are affected by water main breaks over the last 48 hours.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon boy with rare brain tumour dies
A Saskatoon boy with a rare brain tumour who was known for inspiring others in the community has died.
-
Saskatoon couple killed in stabbing was expecting a child, family member says
A 20-year-old man now faces an additional murder charge after another person died from their injuries in hospital.
-
‘I just couldn't believe it’: Sask. woman’s photo cracks top 10 at World Photographic Cup
A Saskatchewan woman is making her mark on a global stage after one of her nature photographs made the the top 10 at the World Photographic Cup (WPC).
Regina
-
Canada-wide warrant issued for Sask. man charged with abducting his daughter
A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for a Saskatchewan man charged with the abduction of his seven-year-old daughter.
-
Programming error limited Sask. COVID-19 death, recovery reporting in January
A programming error limited Saskatchewan COVID-19 death and recovered case data reporting in January, according to the Government of Saskatchewan.
-
Sask. could hit record high COVID-19 hospitalizations in February: government modelling
Saskatchewan could more than double its record number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in February, according to government modelling that was leaked online earlier this week.
Atlantic
-
Latest research says combination of throat and nose swabs provides better COVID-19 rapid test results: Nova Scotia Health
In a Canadian first, Nova Scotia researchers say COVID-19 rapid tests that include both throat and nose swabs provide greater accuracy in detecting the virus.
-
Close to their hearts: Park project to honour lives taken in Nova Scotia mass shooting
Two families linked by the Nova Scotia mass shooting are now coming together on a project designed to remember and honour their loved ones, transforming where they died into a place of peace for the families and the community.
-
Nova Scotia reports a total of 280 people in hospital with COVID-19 Friday; 13 in ICU
Nova Scotia health officials are reporting an increase in COVID-19 related hospitalizations, with 280 in hospital with the virus on Friday.
Toronto
-
SIU investigating after man dies in officer-involved shooting in Markham, Ont.
The province’s police watchdog is investigating after an officer-involved shooting left a man dead in Markham on Friday night.
-
Ontario clinic accidentally gives people six doses of COVID-19 vaccine in one shot
A 75-year-old man is among multiple people in Ontario who say they were accidentally given the equivalent of six doses of the COVID-19 vaccine while getting their booster shot.
-
Homicide unit investigating after man killed in North York shooting
A man is dead following an overnight shooting in a North York parking lot.
Montreal
-
'In jail': Teenagers spent 10 days in windowless rooms in Quebec group homes over COVID-19 exposure
Vulnerable teenage girls in a Laval group home were confined to windowless rooms for 10 straight days this month – though they didn’t have COVID-19 – under a provincial directive, CTV has learned. Similar lockdowns happened at other homes, including one for much younger children.
-
Man shot several times in second scene of gunfire on a violent Montreal night
Montreal police (SPVM) are investigating a second shooting overnight that left a young man in the hospital with multiple gunshot wounds.
-
Man, 33, injured in drive-by shooting in Montreal
A 33-year-old man was shot in Montreal North Friday evening but is in stable condition, according to Montreal police (SPVM).
Ottawa
-
Eight-year-old hero saves family from fire that destroys their Ottawa home
A Stittsville family is crediting their eight-year-old son for alerting them to a fire at the home next door, giving them time to escape before the flames spread to their dream home.
-
EXTREME COLD WARNING
EXTREME COLD WARNING | Extreme cold conditions expected to end today in Ottawa
The temperature dipped to -29C at 8 a.m. in Ottawa, with the wind chill making it feel like minus 39.
-
Car that went through ice pulled from Rideau River
A car that crashed through ice in Manotick, Ont. last weekend has been removed from the Rideau River.
Kitchener
-
Pornographic images found on Kitchener elementary school playground
Police are investigating after pornographic images, some of young children, were found on a playground at a Kitchener elementary school.
-
'Silenced and punished': WRDSB teacher speaks out about controversial school board meeting
A teacher with the Waterloo Region District School Board, who was removed from a virtual board meeting this week after making what the chair called "transphobic" comments, said the experience left her feeling "bullied, slandered and abused."
-
Grassroots organizations team up to fight MZO in Wilmot Township
After battling a Minister’s Zoning Order in their own communities, several grassroots organizations are taking on another proposed MZO fight in Wilmot Township.
Northern Ontario
-
Ramsey Lake skating path opens in Greater Sudbury
The skating path on Ramsey Lake Skating Path opened for the season Friday.
-
Number of Sturgeon Falls downtown murals continues to grow
When walking in downtown Sturgeon Falls, you might notice several paintings on the side of buildings.
-
Outdoor rink at Nipissing University benefiting students
With gyms and recreations centres remaining closed, the outdoor rink at Nipissing University is a popular spot for students.
Winnipeg
-
Manitoba border deaths may be part of larger human smuggling operation: documents
U.S. agents have launched an investigation into a larger human smuggling operation after a family of four froze to death while attempting to cross into the United States from Canada near Emerson, Man. during a blizzard.
-
Corrections officer charged in death of inmate William Ahmo: Manitoba RCMP
Manitoba RCMP have charged a corrections officer in the death of an inmate at Headingley Correctional Centre last year.
-
Canada-wide warrant issued for Sask. man charged with abducting his daughter
A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for a Saskatchewan man charged with the abduction of his seven-year-old daughter.
Vancouver
-
'It feels like betrayal': Vulnerable families respond to COVID-19 changes as B.C.'s top doctor defends approach
When the provincial health officer told British Columbians she was removing isolation requirements and testing for most of the population and compared managing COVID-19 in similar terms to the flu or common cold, many people were shocked and some instantly alarmed.
-
B.C. hospitals can put COVID-positive and negative patients in same rooms: top doctor
Patients who don’t have COVID-19 could end up in the same hospital rooms as patients who do have the virus, B.C. health officials said Friday.
-
Family of Afghan refugees reunited in Vancouver after years of separation
Abdul Bashir Hashimi is starting off 2022 with a full heart. After spending four years separated from his wife and children, they are by his side and settling into a new life in Canada.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. looking at redeveloping Victoria affordable housing complex
BC Housing is in the early stages of redevelopment planning for the decades-old Evergreen Terrace affordable housing complex in Victoria.
-
Island Health confirms 1 new COVID-19 death in final update of the week
Across the province, nine COVID-19-related deaths were reported over the past 24 hours, including the one in Island Health.
-
UVic students and staff express concern about return to campus
The University of Victoria campus was quiet on Friday, but come Monday, students will be back as in-person learning resumes.