Cases of COVID-19 Omicron variant confirmed in Halton Region

Health officials in Halton say there is one lab-confirmed case and two probable cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the region.

They say all three cases are linked with one of the suspected cases that recently traveled to Nigeria.

Public Health says the individuals are currently isolated at home.

“We continue to monitor the situation closely and I urge all residents to be vigilant given the entry of the Omicron variant in our community,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Medical Officer of Health in a news release. “I encourage all residents to continue to follow all public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and for everyone who is eligible, to get their two doses of vaccine as soon as possible.”

All close contacts have been identified and have been told to isolate and get a COVID-19 test, despite vaccination status.

Earlier Thursday, the Durham Region Health Department announced one person there had been diagnosed with an Omicron case of COVID-19. A second Toronto-area public health unit also detected a case of the variant.