COVID-19

The new COVID-19 variant named Omicron has been discovered and made its way to Canada, specifically in Ontario.

The origin of the variant was found in Southern Africa. The variant was first detected on Nov. 24 in a specimen collected on Nov. 9, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) who have since labeled B.1.1.529 as a variant of concern.

On Sunday, Ottawa reported, two people unknowingly brought the variant back with them after a trip from Nigeria, which triggered Canada’s first two cases of the new strain.

The Northwestern Health Unit is reporting five new COVID-19 cases have been found in the region over the weekend. 

Three of the cases were found in the Sioux Lookout Health Region, and two cases have been discovered in the Dryden/Red Lake Health Region. 

Follow up with the persons involved and their contacts has started according to protocol. Anyone who is identified as a contact for these cases will be contacted directly.

Currently, there are 20 active cases connected to the NWHU catchment area. 

The province is currently monitoring the new Omicron COVID-19 variant as Ontario confirmed two cases over the weekend.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw took to Twitter on Sunday to address reports of the new B.1.1.529 strain which was detected in South Africa. 

Hinshaw says there currently isn't any known cases of the Omicron variant in Alberta but confirms that Alberta Health Services (AHS) is closely monitoring the spread of the altered virus.

Leadership with the Lake of the Woods District Hospital is providing more clarity into their recent mandatory vaccination policy announcement.

On November 11, the hospital’s Board of Directors approved implementing a mandatory vaccination policy that applies to all hospital staff, professional staff, volunteers, visitors, learners, contractors and service providers across all of their sites.

It is without a doubt, tricky to navigate the fluid waters of pandemic travel these days. Even the travel experts are having to work overtime to keep up with the constantly changing rules and regulations for international and domestic travel. Case in point, the newly detected Omicron variant is already affecting international travel. 

Albertans were supposed to be able to access and update vaccine QR codes for domestic and international travel this week. 

However, due to a technical issue on the Alberta Health Services (AHS) website, the new code is currently unavailable. 

There were concerns of a possible privacy breach on the morning of the launch on November 24. 

Alberta Health’s support desk received 12 reports from Albertans that they had got the wrong vaccine record when they entered their information on the AHS site. 

In October, the South East Cornerstone Public School Division announced a policy that would see all staff have to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, or if they choose to not disclose their vaccination status, a proof of a negative COVID-19 test once a week. Since the policy came into effect, the results have been positive. 

Dr. Hinshaw sent out a Tweet Friday afternoon regarding the new variant B.1.1.529 that has been reported in parts of Africa. 

"I would like to address reports of a new variant that was detected in South Africa and other countries. Early evidence shows an increased number of mutations and increased transmissibility. The federal government announced new travel restrictions in light of this variant." 

Albertans were supposed to be able to access and updated vaccine record QR code for domestic and international travel this week.

However, due to a technical issue on the AHS website, the new code is currently unavailable.

There were concerns of a possible privacy breach on the morning of the launch on November 24.

Alberta Health’s support desk received 12 reports from Albertans that they had got the wrong vaccine record when they entered their information on the AHS site.

Dr. Hinshaw sent out a Tweet Friday afternoon (Nov.26) regarding the new variant B.1.1.529 that has been reported in parts of Africa.

"I would like to address reports of a new variant that was detected in South Africa and other countries. Early evidence shows an increased number of mutations and increased transmissibility. The federal government announced new travel restrictions in light of this variant."