Health officials investigating possible cases of the Omicron variant in Hamilton and Ottawa

Ontario’s chief medical officer of health says doctors are investigating four more possible cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant- two in Hamilton and two in Ottawa. 

These potential cases are in addition to two reported over the weekend in Ottawa. The patients had landed in Montreal after travelling to Nigeria. The variant was first detected in South Africa and has been linked to a spike in cases there.

The two Hamilton residents recently returned from travelling to South Africa and tested positive for COVID-19.  Hamilton Public Health is awaiting tests results for the Omicron variant.

Moore also says public health units are reaching out to 375 people who have returned from countries considered at high-risk for the new variant.

He says the province has expanded eligibility for provincially-funded COVID-19 PCR testing for all individuals who have returned from or have travelled in the following locations between Nov. 1 and Dec. 6: South Africa; Botsuana; Lesotho; Eswatini; Mozambique; Namibia; Zimbabwe.

He says the list of travel locations may be updated as the province learns more about Omicron.

“The Ontario COVID-19 genomic network is continuing to actively monitor for all potential variants in the province, including the Omicron variant,” said Moore. “We also have the infrastructure in place to manage outbreaks-”

Moore says he doesn’t see the province implementing further public health measures at this time, but says he wouldn’t be surprised to discover more cases of the variant. 

“If we see widespread presence of Omicron across Ontario, which is not the case at present, then we could review any measures that we need to take at a provincial level,” Moore said.

Initial information shows the Omicron variant has an increased risk of reinfection compared to other variants. 

As a result of the discovery of the variant on Friday, many countries including Canada announced travel restrictions for some southern African countries. 

The World Health Organization has since asked countries not to impose travel restrictions on Southern Africa.