News July 13, 2022 – 2:30 PM EDT
The infectious disease expert says there could be more cases in the region due to the spread of new variants in the south
Reported cases of COVID-19 worldwide have increased by nearly three percent in the past two weeks, according to the World Health Organization. (Image by PIR04D from Pixabay)
By Meral Jamal
People in Nunavik should expect a fourth wave of COVID-19 in the coming weeks, says the Nunavik Department of Public Health’s infectious disease clinical lead.
Dr. Yasen Cholakov says the spread of new variants in southern Canada is contributing to the rise in cases there.
This includes the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants that the World Health Organization monitors.
“We’re just trying to prepare the population for what we’re seeing elsewhere in the province and elsewhere in the world,” Cholakov said.
In Nunavik, there were 37 reported active cases in an area of about 12,000 people as of July 7.
Cholakov said viral mutations, plus times of the year when people spend more time indoors, fuel the spread of COVID-19.
“There will be times when there will be less COVID, there will be times when there will be more COVID,” he said.
“COVID is constantly changing a bit, and some of the new strains may be more contagious.”
Cholakov said it is important to note that the infections caused by the new Omicron sub-variants do not appear to be as severe as those seen during previous waves involving other variants.
The best way for Nunavimmiut to protect themselves from COVID-19 continues to be through vaccination, he said.
While mandatory masking and testing requirements are no longer in place, Cholakov encouraged people to “adjust and reduce their personal level of risk.”
Globally, reported cases have increased by nearly three percent in the past two weeks, according to the World Health Organization.
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