Sequencing suggests BA.2 variant may be increasing in Manitoba
New provincial data suggests the rate of the Omicron subvariant BA.2 may be on the rise in Manitoba.
According to a provincial spokesperson, data from mid-March showed 11.8 per cent of positive COVID-19 tests were BA.2, and recent sequencing suggests the rate of spread of the subvariant may be increasing.
However, the province notes it is waiting on more recent figures to confirm the trend.
This comes after Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's chief public health officer, suggested last week that the country may be protected from the worst of a possible COVID-19 resurgence. She instead predicted a spring "blip" as public health measures are lifted.
READ MORE: Spring wave of COVID-19? Be prepared Canada, experts warn
Here in Manitoba, the indoor mask mandate and the requirement for self-isolation after testing positive for COVID-19 were lifted last week, while immunization cards, QR codes and capacity limits were nixed at many businesses and services a few weeks prior.
Tam said while evidence suggests that BA.2 is more transmissible than its Omicron predecessor, the subvariant is spreading at a relatively slow rate in Canada so far.
She added it doesn't appear to cause more severe illness than other variants, but noted international data suggests BA.2 targets people who aren't protected by vaccination or previous exposure to the Omicron variant.
- With files from CTV’s Michelle Gerwing and Brooklyn Neustaeter
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Father and son facing terror charges were planning 'serious violent attack in Toronto': RCMP
RCMP say a father and son who were arrested in Richmond Hill on terrorism charges last week were 'in the advanced stages of planning a serious violent attack in Toronto.'
Secret dresser compartment discovered in Calgary drug trafficking investigation
Calgary police say the discovery of a unique secret compartment in a piece of bedroom furniture was the key to solving a recent drug trafficking investigation.
Montreal swimmer Ilya Kharun wins bronze in men's 200m butterfly
Swimmer Ilya Kharun has won a bronze medal for Canada in the men's 200-metre butterfly on Wednesday at the Olympic Games in Paris.
Changes are coming to mortgage rules. Will they help you afford a new home?
New mortgage rules from the federal government taking effect Thursday won't 'move the needle,' according to some experts in the housing industry.
How a cross-border conspiracy to smuggle drugs into B.C. on a Jet Ski unravelled
A 67-year-old man who planned to use a Jet Ski to smuggle more than 180 kilograms of fentanyl and methamphetamine into Canada was convicted in a Seattle courtroom Friday, after beachcombers found the drugs stashed in several duffel bags along the Washington state coastline.
Holy Mola! Massive sunfish rescued near Bay of Fundy
It was a memorable day for many near the Bay of Fundy Monday when a Mola mola found its way to the Parrsboro Harbour in Nova Scotia.
Donald Trump questions Kamala Harris' race as he appears at gathering of Black journalists
Donald Trump falsely questioned Kamala Harris' race during an appearance before the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago that quickly turned hostile on Wednesday.
Venice to limit tourist groups to maximum of 25 people
Venice will limit the size of tourist parties to 25 people from Thursday in the latest attempt to reduce the impact of crowds on the lagoon city.
Want to move out of Canada? Experts explain everything you need to know
If you're planning to leave Canada, there's a laundry list of things that need to be checked off. Experts explain all the steps you need to take before making the move.