'Not something to play around with': Experts assessing potential impact of Omicron variant
As jurisdictions worldwide take precautions to prevent the spread of the new Omicron variant, health experts are scrambling to figure out much of an impact it could have on Alberta.
The World Health Organization (WHO) designated B.1.1.529 a variant of concern on Friday, naming it Omicron. The WHO says the first cases were reported from South Africa last week, identified cases are now being reported in Belgium, Botswana, Israel, and Hong Kong.
As of publication, no confirmed cases of the newest COVID-19 variant were reported in Canada. Yet, some experts believe it is only a matter of time.
"With such an interconnected world and travellers going everywhere, it's very, very hard to keep a variant just in one country," said Sarah Otto, University of British Columbia evolutionary biologist.
Otto works with the B.C. COVID-19 modelling team and has studied variants throughout the pandemic.
"This variant is coming, and we don't know what it brings," Otto told CTV News. "It has an uncharacteristically large number of mutations. It's actually not very closely related to any of the other variants."
According to Otto, what health officials know so far is that the variant appears to spread quickly.
"We're seeing now that Omicron is even able to spread and outcompete Delta really quickly," she said. "Something like twice the growth rate of Delta."
Ottawa announced it would ban the entry of all foreign nationals who travelled through southern Africa in the 14 days.
The travel ban covers seven countries, including South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana.
- Canada bans travellers from southern Africa as concerns mount over coronavirus variant
- 'Only a matter of time' before Omicron COVID-19 variant reaches Canada, expert says
- COVID-19 variant spreads to more countries as world on alert
On Friday, Dr. Threresa Tam, Canada's chief public health officer, said that laboratories across Canada have been alerted to the new variant and are searching for any "possible detections." Alberta's top doctor, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, reassured Albertans that genetic sequencing in the province could detect mutations of COVID-19, including Omicron.
"We continue to work with our partners in Canada and across the world to monitor emerging variants and will make any adjustments necessary to protect the health and safety of all Albertans," Hinshaw said in a social media post on Friday.
While there have been some cases of Omicron identified in vaccinated individuals elsewhere, Otto says vaccinated individuals will likely still have a decreased chance of severe outcomes.
"I think those highly vaccinated communities have a lot of buffers," she added. "Omicron might be able to get in and still not spread in those highly vaccinated communities. But where it's going to spread like wildfire are the unvaccinated communities."
'GET VACCINATED'
Dr. Michael Houghton, a University of Alberta professor and Nobel laureate in medicine, told CTV News how labs across the globe are racing to learn more about the variant.
"Further experiments are underway around the world, and more information will be available in a couple of weeks," Houghton said.
"In the meanwhile, early prudence is justified by following pre-existing guidelines of getting vaccinated, wearing face masks, and minimizing direct social interactions," he said.
Otto echoed the advice, adding that now is the best time to get booster vaccine doses, for those eligible to get it.
"This is not something to play around with," Otto said. "Protect yourself, protect your friends, protect your neighbours.
"Get vaccinated."
With files from CTVNews.ca's Hannah Jackson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.