Emerging EG.5 COVID-19 variant expected to spread to Canada soon

A new variant of COVID-19 has emerged and is quickly spreading across the globe, with cases expected to pop up in Canada soon.

The World Health Organization says the new variant, EG.5, is closely related to the Omicron variant.

Health officials say as fewer people are testing regularly, tracking the spread of the variant in Canada will predominantly come in the form of waste water testing and hospital reports.

EG5, as all previous variants, is expected to disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, including the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.

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Officials say that thus far in the research the preventative measures that have been practiced since the beginning of the pandemic will be just as effective against this latest strain.

As of the beginning of July Ontario’s Ministry of Health recommended holding off on receiving a booster shot until the fall when the likelihood of respiratory illness increases.

Infectious disease expert Isaac Bogoch tells CHCH News that he too supports the recommendations of holding off on vaccines until the fall, but says that decision is not universal.

Bogoch says that an updated vaccine is likely coming in September or October and most individuals can wait for this fall booster campaign. However, he says those with significant risk for the disease or who wish to get protected earlier should do so.

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Bogoch tells CHCH that the spread of EG.5 will likely be similar to that of the Omicron variant and can be expected to spread throughout Canada soon.

The Ministry of Health has announced that more specific recommendations for vaccinations will be coming in the fall.

The World Health Organization first began tracking EG5 on July 19 and has reported cases in the United Kingdom, United States and across Asia.

EG5 currently accounts for one in seven cases of COVID-19 in the UK and one in six in the US.

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