MEDICAL ADVISORY: COVID-19 Variant of Concern Omicron B.1.1.529
Issued by: Azim Kasmani, MD, FRCPC, Associate Medical Officer of Health
On November 26, 2021, the World Health Organization designated the variant B.1.1.529 a variant of concern, named Omicron. Currently there are no confirmed cases in Niagara.
Ontario Risk Assessment of Omicron
The clinical and public health significance of mutations associated with Omicron remain uncertain, close monitoring of evolving science and epidemiology is ongoing. At this point in time, Public Health Ontario has determined:
- The current risk of Omicron importation in Ontario is high
- The risks of further transmission, reinfection, or breakthrough infection in Ontario is moderate with a high degree of uncertainty
- There is currently no information on the disease severity
- Current testing can detect the Omicron variant
Containment of Omicron in Ontario
Until more is known, targeted enhanced case and contact management will focus on COVID-19 cases reporting recent travel outside of Canada and/or test results suggestive of Omicron. These measures will help slow the spread and allow us to learn more about this variant.
Enhanced case and contact managements applies to cases that are suspected to be Omicron, including those in travelers to anywhere outside of Canada, exposure to a recent traveler anywhere outside of Canada, or those that screen positive on testing. Refer to the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Variant of Concern Omicron (B.1.1.529): Case, Contact and
Outbreak Management Interim Guidance for the case and persons under investigation (PUIs) definitions.
Cases
- Assess all cases for recent travel anywhere outside of Canada and acquisition source
- No test-based single negative PCR test clearance option to shorten duration of isolation for asymptomatic fully vaccinated individuals with a positive test
High-risk contacts
- High-risk contacts of an Omicron variant of COVID-19 need to isolate and get tested, even if fully vaccinated or previously positive. A negative COVID-19 PCR test, done on day 7 of isolation, is required before they can be released from isolation.
Household members
- If the Omicron variant is confirmed or highly likely, unvaccinated household members of high risk contacts may also be required to isolate. The household members should not attend work, school, or child care while self-isolating.
If Testing is Declined on Day
7
- If testing is declined, all high-risk contacts including fully vaccinated or previously positive high-risk contacts, will have their isolation extended for an additional 10 days after completing the initial required self-isolation period, or until they obtain a negative PCR test
What Patients Need to Know
- Please note Federal travel requirements for patients who have been in South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho,
Eswatini, Egypt, Nigeria, Malawi or Namibia:
- Are required to immediately self-isolate, even if fully vaccinated, if they have been any of these countries in the previous 14 days
- Are eligible for testing at assessment centres and should be tested at day 1 and day 8 after arrival. They should also isolate from household members – stay in a separate room or an isolation centre until receiving a negative test result.
- All patients should be reminded to follow public health measures, regardless of travel or vaccination status
- Please refer to the Federal Government website for an up-to-date list of countries included under these requirements
More Information
- Call the COVID-19 Primary Care Info-Line at 905-688-8248 (press 7, then 1 for
physicians). The info-line is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
- Visit Niagara's Health Care Professionals webpage