The Government of Canada has a surveillance program in place working with provinces and territories to identify new genetic variants of COVID 19 in Canada, such as the variant of concern Omicron.
OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 28, 2021 / CNW / – Genomic sequencing is an integral part of Canada’s ongoing response to COVID-19 and is used to monitor the evolution of the virus, as well as its variants . The provinces and territories, as well as the National Microbiology Laboratory of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), are monitoring cases of COVID-19 as part of an ongoing analysis of genomic data in Canada. This surveillance, along with border surveillance, confirmed two cases of the variant of concern Omicron in Ontario.
As surveillance continues, it can be expected that more cases of this variant will be found in Canada and other countries. Canadians are reminded that vaccination, along with public health and personal protection measures, is effective in reducing the transmission of COVID-19 and its variants in communities.
To reduce the risk of importing the virus and any other variant, Canada has put in place travel restrictions and border measures since March 2020. The stringent quarantine and testing measures are among the most stringent in the country. world.
On November 26, in response to the worrying variant Omicron, the Government of Canada quickly implemented increased border security measures for all travelers who have stayed in the South Africa region, including South Africa. , Ewsatini, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Namibia in the last 14 days before arriving from Canada, until January 31, 2022.
Preliminary data would indicate that the Omicron variant is easily transmissible, but the evidence is still limited at this time. Data are being collected globally on an ongoing basis to assess the impact of this variant on disease severity and vaccine efficacy. Measures are currently being implemented at the borders on a temporary basis. In the meantime, the medical and public health communities in Canada and elsewhere are taking a closer look at this variant, as they have done with other previous variants, in order to understand the potential ramifications for transmission, clinical presentation, and disease. vaccine efficacy.
The Government of Canada advises against travel to the South Africa region and continues to monitor the situation to inform current and future actions. Restrictions change rapidly, and countries can impose them with very little notice, disrupting travel plans. People may be forced to stay outside of Canada longer than expected if they choose to travel.
Canada continues to require molecular screening tests before the arrival of all vaccinated or unvaccinated international travelers, regardless of the country from which they arrive, in order to reduce the risk of importation of COVID-19 and its variants.
The Government of Canada continues to assess the evolving situation and will modify border measures where necessary. Canadians are reminded that vaccination, along with public health and personal protection measures, is more crucial than ever to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and its variants.
Health Index publication: 2021-11-29 – Number of visits since publication: 154
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