Health officials in Hamilton and the Peel Region on Saturday confirmed their first cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant.
In a news release Saturday night, Peel Public Health said the first case in the area was identified as an individual closely linked to a travel-related case in the Halton Region.
The medical unit said this person is isolated at home and added that the risk of further spreading is low.
Dr Lawrence Loh, medical officer for Peel Region, said: “With variants like Omicron popping up around the world, people must continue to mask their social distances, get tested and quarantine when they do. ill”.
“More importantly, I encourage you to get two doses of the vaccine as soon as possible. Those eligible for a third or booster dose are also encouraged to take their additional dose. “
Earlier in the day, Hamilton also reported the first case of the Omicron variant of interest.
Hamilton Public Health Services (HPHS) announced on Monday that there are two suspected cases of the Omicron variant after two individuals tested positive for COVID-19 following a trip to South Africa.
On Saturday morning, Public Health Ontario confirmed that one of those individuals had tested positive for this variant, which was first detected in southern Africa last week.
“The outcome of the second case under investigation is in the process of being explained and is expected in the coming days,” HPHS said in a press release.
The two individuals and their close contacts are self-isolating and HPHS is conducting contact and case management.
“It is important for the community to remain calm and trust that all levels of government will follow the science as it relates to the Omicron variant,” said Dr Ninh Tran, Hamilton medical officer, in a statement. An announcement.
“Hamilton Public Health Service remains committed to keeping the community informed in the coming days and weeks as we learn more about the Omicron variant,” he added.
All public health units in Ontario have been directed to manage confirmed cases of COVID-19 who have traveled internationally in the past 14 days as a patient under investigation for Omicron .
With two new cases on Saturday, the Omicron variant has been detected in all medical units in Greater Toronto and the Hamilton Area.
On Friday, Toronto confirmed the first three cases of the Omicron variant in two people returning from a trip to Nigeria and the other traveling to Switzerland.
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