Alberta sees first case of Omicron variant
The Omicron COVID-19 variant has made its way to Alberta.
Province confirms Omicron variant case in Alberta
Dr. Deena Hinshaw provided another update yesterday afternoon, and announced that a case of the Omicron variant has been confirmed in Alberta.
According to Hinshaw, the individual was returning from Nigeria and the Netherlands and has not left quarantine since their return.
It's the only confirmed case of the new Omicron variant in the province.
Not much is known about the variant at this point, as it only emerged within the last few weeks.
Cases have been identified in several countries in Southern Africa, Europe, and Asia, as well as Australia.
What we know so far about the Omicron variant, which has been found in Canada
Canada’s first two cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant of concern were confirmed Sunday in Ottawa. The variant – which may be more transmissible – was first identified in South Africa, where it coincided with a recent spike in COVID-19 cases, but it’s unclear where it first emerged. Here’s what we know about it so far:
WHAT IS OMICRON?
Airdrie mom recounts son's battle with rare COVID syndrome: 'We never thought it would happen to our kid either'
Hunter McConnell contracted COVID-19 last spring and had fairly mild symptoms. But after being diagnosed with the rare Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome, Hunter's mom doesn't want to go through the nightmare again.
"We've spoken to all the specialists at the Children's Hospital. We've seen cardiology and infectious disease and brilliant people who've all recommended that he does get the vaccine," said Tanyss McConnell, Hunter's mom. "He does have some natural immunity now, but we don't know how long that lasts. I don't want to chance it again."
Northern Ontario municipalities receiving funding for local infrastructure
The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources, and Forestry has released their Northern Ontario Resource Development Fund (NORDF).
The fund will provide $15 million annually over the next five years to northern Ontario municipalities to support investments in local infrastructure.
Minister of NDMNRF, Greg Rickford, said in an interview that the funds were well received by municipalities across the province.
LRSD cuts pediatric mask supply ties with province
A school division in Winnipeg is working with an external vendor after the Province of Manitoba sent them less protective medical facemasks for their students, raising concerns in their community.
On Tuesday, Louis Riel School Division (LRSD) announced it is no longer getting pediatric facemasks directly from the province after being sent ones that have a lower level of protection than what has previously been sent.
First Omicron COVID-19 variant reported in Alberta
Alberta has its first case of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.
During a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Dr. Deena Hinshaw informed the public they have confirmed the first case of the variant in the province. The case was found in an asymptomatic returning traveler from Nigeria and the Netherlands.
Hinshaw reports they have been in isolation since arriving in Canada.
Friesen looking to enhance judge training on sexual assault law, social context
People seeking out provincial judicial positions might soon need to agree to doing sexual assault law and social context training.
The Province of Manitoba says most sexual assault cases are addressed in provincial courts.
Since May all judicial candidates looking for a federal appointment were required to undergo training in sexual assault law and social context. This bill also required judges to share their reasons for decisions in sexual assault cases. Justice Minister Cameron Friesen says he is proposing to have provincial judicial candidates have the same training.
COVID-19: 128 new cases, 4 deaths Tuesday
Public Health says there are 1,418 active COVID-19 cases.
There are 128 new COVID-1 cases Tuesday, including 69 people who are not vaccinated, 52 who are fully vaccinated, and seven who are partially vaccinated.
Manitoba's five-day test rate is 5.2 per cent.
There are 67,877 total COVID-19 cases and 65,140 recoveries.
There are now 1,319 deaths after four new deaths were announced Tuesday. The provincial website says hospitalization and ICU data is currently unavailable.
Regions top doctor provides insight on new Omicron variant
The new variant of concern Omicron, which was detected in Southern Africa last week, has made its way to Canada after two travelers visiting Nigeria brought it back with them unknowingly.
The World Health Organization is classifying the Omicron as the B.1.1.529 variant.
There hasn’t been any discovery so far of the new variant in Northwestern Ontario, and it is still new, but the region's top doctor did provide information on the new strain that she was given.