A case of COVID-19 reported this week in the Kingston, Ontario area suggests the omicron variant was already spreading in the province when the first cases in Canada were announced, according to the region’s top doctor.
Dr Piotr Oglaza from Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health shared new details on CBC Radio All in one day Wednesday about the health unit’s first case involving the latest worrying variant.
On Tuesday, the health unit said it confirmed the presence of omicron in a person who apparently had no history of international travel.
Oglaza said the person first exhibited symptoms on November 28, the same day the first two cases of omicron in Canada were confirmed in Ottawa, in two people who had recently traveled from Nigeria.
“It was just two days after the World Health Organization declared omicron a variant of concern and gained worldwide attention,” Oglaza said. All in one day.
“These cases were already popping up in different jurisdictions around the world. [it’s a] very concerning fact that we had the first case without this travel history – which indicates that there is a spread occurring in this jurisdiction, in this province. “
All in one day8:06Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health Medical Officer of Health
Dr Piotr Oglaza provides an update on the COVID-19 situation in the region and whether or not residents can expect more stringent health measures during the holidays. 8:06
New restrictions introduced
Canadian scientists have been working overtime to learn more about the omicron, with dozens of suspected and confirmed outbreaks being reported across the country.
In the Kingston area, COVID-19 cases in general have reached new highs in recent days, with the health unit setting a new one-day record with 104 confirmed cases on Wednesday.
This broke the previous daily record of 101 cases, set just 24 hours earlier.
The health unit has already lowered the limit for private gatherings indoors to 10 people, and on Wednesday Oglaza released an letter of instruction to local businesses and organizations be even more vigilant in the face of the virus.
The letter tells them to implement strict use of masks, while also providing an expanded list of symptoms they should use to screen staff and customers for COVID-19.
Failure to follow the stricter rules could result in a fine of up to $ 100,000.
Oglaza said the local spread of COVID-19 was in part due to people with symptoms attending social gatherings – something he hoped the new rules would slow down.
“This is an important step that will allow us to minimize the risk of the presence of symptomatic people,” Oglaza said.
” It’s a challenge. I fully appreciate the challenges that businesses can face. But what is at stake here is [their] ability to continue to function.
“Coffeeaholic. Lifelong alcohol fanatic. Typical travel expert. Prone to fits of apathy. Internet trailblazer.”