A fifth case of the COVID-19 Omicron variant of concern has been confirmed in a traveller recently returned to Ottawa, medical officer of health Dr. Vera Etches said Thursday.
While all five cases of the variant identified in Ottawa are so far linked to travellers, Etches said it is “possible” that Omicron is already in the community and could spread here.
“It’s hard to imagine that we could completely contain Omicron if it’s as infectious as it appears,” she said.
Ottawa Public Health declined to disclose where the individual had travelled from, citing privacy concerns.
OPH meanwhile reported 32 new cases of the virus on Thursday, a sharp decline from the 74 cases seen on Wednesday.
Etches told reporters Thursday that she’s concerned about the “consistent and significant” increase in cases week to week in Ottawa and called on residents to “limit” their high-risk activities and gatherings during the holiday season.
Eight new COVID-19 outbreaks were added to OPH’s dashboard on Thursday, all affecting schools and other child-care settings.
There are currently 34 ongoing outbreaks in the city, 23 of which affect elementary schools.
Etches said Thursday that OPH is starting to roll out rapid antigen tests to schools and neighbourhoods experiencing high rates of COVID-19 as an additional screening tool for asymptomatic kids.
OPH’s dashboard also shows there are now five people in hospital with COVID-19 in Ottawa and one patient in the intensive care unit, one fewer than the day before.
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