'I think it’s just a matter of when': Medical officer of health expects Omicron variant to hit Waterloo Region
Region of Waterloo Medical Officer of Health Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang says she fully expects the new Omicron variant to hit Waterloo Region.
"Although no local cases have been identified yet, I would not be surprised to hear of cases in Waterloo Region at any time," Dr. Wang said during a COVID-19 community update on Friday.
She says it’s unlikely the variant hasn’t been detected here yet because Public Health Ontario has been doing genomic testing of all COVID-19 samples. However, Wang adds there is about a one week lag from when Public Health Ontario receives a case and when it's sampled.
Dr. Wang reiterated it's no longer a question of 'if' the Omicron variant will arrive in the region.
"I think it’s just a matter of when," Dr. Wang said.
She added that when Omicron cases are detected locally, the region won't go back to ground zero because there is enough vaccine supply, and the right resources in place to combat it.
COVID-19 CASES AMONG CHILDREN
During the update, Dr. Wang said cases are happening more frequently in unvaccinated people, including children.
Dr. Wang said she anticipates the rising number of cases in school-aged children will continue until more of them are immunized.
Public health says more than 83 per cent of eligible residents aged five and older with received their first dose, while 79 per cent of eligible residents five and older are fully vaccinated.
As of Thursday, 8,613 doses have been administered to children five to 11 years old.
NOTABLE OVERALL TRENDS
When it comes to overall trends, Dr. Wang says waste water data shows the virus is widespread in the region, but public health is making progress toward administering third doses, with 24,000 shots already given.
The seven-day average of COVID-19 cases in the region is 34 per 100,000 each week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.