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
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6978649.1722015109!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga, Ont.: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Ont., Peel police say.
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump's near assassination, the FBI confirmed Friday that it was indeed a bullet that struck the former president's ear, moving to clear up conflicting accounts about what caused the former president's injuries after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania rally.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Major Canadian bank experiences direct deposit outage on payday
Scotiabank says it has fixed a technical issue that impacted direct deposits on Friday morning.