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Omicron Variant

Dr.-Tam

Some Optimism Surrounding The Pandemic

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Canada is moving out of the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

That’s according to the Chief Public Health Officer.

Dr. Theresa Tam says there is evidence the omicron variant is starting to wane.

“I think we are speaking on both counts, so coming out of the omicron wave, but also in the more than the two years of experience with this pandemic is that there is a significant build-up of immunity in the population,” states Tam.

Tam adds Canada is transitioning out of the crisis phase of COVID-19.

“We could do with a bit more boosting of the boosters. We’ve got treatments now coming on board. We should be able to manage the pandemic going into the future without, I think, some of the more stringent or restrictive public health measures.”

Dr. Tam adds we might have to re-impose health restrictions if other variants that prove to be severe and are immune to the vaccines.

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Current Surge In COVID-19 Cases Nearing A Peak

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The most recent modeling of COVID-19 shows the current wave of the omicron variant could ease by the beginning of February.

Dr. Theresa Tam says according to their data, the surge in cases is peaking.

“A number of the provinces, the biggest ones who have particularly experienced the omicron surge the earliest, are seeing some stabilization, at a very high level, but some a stabilization in the daily case rates,” says Tam.

“So I think that’s the early signal we could be approaching that peak.”

Dr. Tam adds that even though the omicron variant is less virulent, the sudden increase in cases is resulting in large numbers of hospitalizations.

“The sudden acceleration, and the enormous volume of cases associated with the omicron surge, puts an intense strain on hospitals over several weeks and adds to longer-lasting impacts such as extended backlogs and strained workforce.”

In her media briefing on Friday, Dr. Tam says most cases of COVID-19 in Canada are now the omicron variant.

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Canadians Advised To Avoid Non-Essential International Travel

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Ottawa is urging you not to travel internationally this holiday season.

In an announcement Wednesday, federal officials put in an advisory to cancel or postpone the plans in response to the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said the travel measure, which was first discussed between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Premiers on Tuesday, will be in place for four weeks.

Canadians and permanent residents who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 do not have to provide a proof of a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test if the trip to the United States is less than 72 hours.