Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
National

Omicron fears prompt new B.C. restrictions

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Dec, 2021 05:28 PM
  • Omicron fears prompt new B.C. restrictions

British Columbia is reducing the size of gatherings and events over the next six weeks in an effort to contain an expected rapid rise in cases due to the highly transmissible COVID-19 Omicron variant. 

Cases are spiking because of the Omicron variant in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario and globally, and B.C. will face the same surge within the next week, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Friday.

Starting Monday, restrictions on events and gatherings will be in effect until the end of January to reduce the spread of the Omicron variant.

 "This is, of course, not where we want to be," Henry said at a news conference. "It is the reality of where we are."

 The new public health measures range from limits on venues that hold more than 1,000 people to 50 per cent capacity to no youth or adult sports tournaments over the Christmas holiday period and cancellation of all New Year's Eve parties, Henry said.

Indoor family gatherings, including those at rental or holiday properties, are limited to one household, plus 10 guests, and everyone must be vaccinated, she said. 

"The newest variant, the Omicron variant of concern, is adding new and more complex challenges to our pandemic," said Henry. "It is moving quickly and so must we. Right now we must slow the spread."

 The 50 per cent capacity at venues that hold more than 1,000 people applies to sports events, including hockey games, theatre performances and music concerts and will ensure there is additional space for people, she added.

Public health officials warn the Omicron variant could propel an enormous spike in COVID-19 cases over the next few months. But there's still a lot scientists need to learn about the latest mutation.

Here's what Canadian public health officials know about the variant so far:

Prevalence

— Almost 350 confirmed cases have been reported in 11 provinces and territories. Increasing numbers of cases are not linked to travel, pointing to community transmission in several parts of the country with outbreaks in multiple settings.

— The World Health Organization said Omicron has been reported in 77 countries worldwide but is likely already in most countries, even if not yet detected.

Transmissibility

— Omicron has potential to spread more quickly than Delta, which was already highly transmissible.

— Canada's chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says aerosol transmission is a main route of spread, and said to "think of it like smoke in the room: those closest to the source will inhale more." As a result, masking and ventilation are "very important."

— It's suspected that the incubation period for the Omicron variant may be a little bit shorter than for the other variants, but Tam says that is still under investigation.

Severity

— It's not currently known whether Omicron carries a higher or lower risk of severe illness or death.

— Some of the current COVID-19 treatments may be less effective against Omicron than against other variants.

— Larger numbers of cases could impact health-care capacity. If it's assumed Omicron is three times more transmissible than Delta and becomes the dominant strain, the federal modelling has suggested the number of daily cases in Canada could explode to 26,600 by mid-January from about 3,300 currently.

Immunity

— Being fully vaccinated and then getting a booster shot is expected to reasonably protect against infection and likely offers strong protection against severe illness. However, experts say that must be combined with layers of public health measures and individual precautions.

— Omicron cases have been detected in both vaccinated and unvaccinated people, as well as in previously infected people.

MORE National ARTICLES

Advocate says seniors abuse falls through 'cracks'

Advocate says seniors abuse falls through 'cracks'
British Columbia's seniors advocate is calling for a provincewide approach for reporting seniors abuse amid complaints that are "significantly rising." Isobel Mackenzie says there is a clear five-year pattern of increasing reports of seniors abuse and neglect, but the fragmented reporting system suggests the problem could be more widespread.

Advocate says seniors abuse falls through 'cracks'

Canadian officials to boycott Olympics: Trudeau

Canadian officials to boycott Olympics: Trudeau
Canada will join a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics in Beijing next year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Wednesday. The decision comes two days after the United States announced it would send government officials to the Olympics over concerns about China's human rights record.

Canadian officials to boycott Olympics: Trudeau

Afghan refugee exodus may take two years: minister

Afghan refugee exodus may take two years: minister
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser says the government predicts it could take two years to fulfil its promise of bringing 40,000 Afghan refugees to Canada. The minister said the government is facing challenges in Afghanistan and other countries where refugees have fled but is trying to get them to Canada urgently.    

Afghan refugee exodus may take two years: minister

One cracked Cyclone helicopter repaired: military

One cracked Cyclone helicopter repaired: military
The Royal Canadian Air Force issued a statement saying Sikorsky Aircraft, the U.S.-based manufacturer of the aircraft, has devised a fix that involves the installation of reinforcements to provide additional strength to the helicopter's airframe.

One cracked Cyclone helicopter repaired: military

B.C. home loss prompts calls for tax sale changes

B.C. home loss prompts calls for tax sale changes
Jay Chalke's report says the 60-year-old woman had the money to cover the tax bill but personal challenges made it difficult to pay and the City of Penticton sold the home in 2017 for $150,000, costing her about $270,000 in equity.

B.C. home loss prompts calls for tax sale changes

Man who barricaded himself inside Surrey home taken into custody

Man who barricaded himself inside Surrey home taken into custody
Surrey RCMP were called at 8:40am on Wednesday in relation to a man barricading himself inside a home in the 14100-block of 114A Avenue. The male is in police custody and has been arrested under the Mental Health Act. He has been transported to local hospital.

Man who barricaded himself inside Surrey home taken into custody