Manitoba experts saying not to panic over new Omicron COVID-19 variant
With the newest COVID-19 variant of concern continuing to surface in Canada, some Manitoba experts are saying not to panic.
Omicron was first discovered in southern Africa and now cases of the variant have been confirmed in Ontario and Quebec. This is causing concern for some Manitoba residents, who are worried about potential restrictions.
This includes nutrition and food science researcher Dylan MacKay, who after almost two years is once again enrolling participants into studies.
"My research group, we are really excited about starting a bunch of trials this week essentially and into next year," he said.
MacKay said if the new variant leads to new restrictions his planned in-person research may not be possible.
"We thought about that a lot over the last year and a half, how we can reduce contact in case the pandemic continued or the pandemic got worse. That’s really where we might be leaning on that with the new variant,’" MacKay said.
Winnipeg epidemiologist Cynthia Carr said as more information is learned about the Omicron variant, it is important not to panic or get over-anxious.
"This sounds scary that there are cases identified in Canada," she said.
Carr noted some positives in the situation are that we're hearing about this variant of concern quickly, it's easily detectable through testing, and some vaccine manufacturers are already working on a modified shot.
She said every time a new variant is discovered, there is the same cycle of identification, and worldwide cases related to travel.
"Not every situation did that lead to an escalation of cases. Delta is highly efficient. Yes, it did overtake and become the predominant strain. We don’t know if that is going to happen with this,” Carr said.
According to Monday's provincial bulletin: “No cases of the B.1.1.529 (omicron) variant have been detected in Manitoba at this time and the province can confirm that all positive travel-related specimens are being sequenced.”
As this new variant dominates the COVID-19 conversation, MacKay has been talking with immunologist and virologist colleagues as he goes forward with his research.
"Just waiting to see what the next publications will be on how dangerous it is, how much it spreads, that kind of stuff," he said.
Canada is now barring travellers from seven southern African countries.
The province said it is monitoring the situation and working with federal officials.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
'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.
First court appearance for boy and girl charged in death of Halifax 16-year-old
A girl and a boy, both 14 years old, made their first appearance today in a Halifax courtroom, where they each face a second-degree murder charge in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old high school student.