The initial case of omicron COVID-19 variant detected in Alberta, Hinshaw declares

Key takeaways: 

• The passenger was returning from Nigeria and the Netherlands.
• Dr Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, affirmed Tuesday that a case of the omicron variant has been detected in a passenger retreating to Alberta from Nigeria and the Netherlands.

Dr Hinshaw declares the detection of Omicron variant case in Alberta: 

Alberta’s initial case of the omicron variant has been approved by a traveller who retreated to the region from Nigeria and the Netherlands.

“I’m reporting we have now one confirmed case of the omicron variant in Alberta,” Dr Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, said at a press conference Tuesday. Source – cbc.ca

“This case has been confirmed in a returning traveller from Nigeria and the Netherlands.” Source – cbc.ca

“The individual tested positive while asymptomatic and I can prove this individual has not left quarantine since they arrived from international travel.” Source – cbc.ca

Hinshaw stated household members have been informed and rules are in place to limit onward transmission, she spoke.

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“I don’t want Albertans to be alarmed. As I mentioned Monday, we anticipated the arrival of this variant in the province eventually based on what we’ve seen from previous strains of COVID-19,” she stated. Source – cbc.ca

“We were well-prepared for this eventuality.” Source – cbc.ca

Alberta had then ramped up tracking and testing of COVID-19 cases known in all returning international passengers in a try to stay ahead of the variant in the region. 

She stated the individual, who had been wandering alone, retreated to Alberta around one week ago and was tested for COVID-19 on return.

Hinshaw stated there is typically a time delay between a first positive test and follow-up testing for variants.

Omicron, a force that may be more dangerous than earlier variants of the coronavirus, was announced a variant of worry by the World Health Organization the previous week.