A new sub-variant of Omicron is circulating in the province, prompting a warning from Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald to expect a spike in cases and hospitalizations in the next two to four weeks.
The BA-5 variant is more effective at evading protections provided by vaccines and previous COVID infections.
Fitzgerald says the verification of positive test samples indicates that the BA-5 has arrived. She says they have caught the sub-variant in local test samples for the past two to three weeks.
While they won’t protect you from contracting the virus, up-to-date vaccinations offer the best protection against developing serious illness, Fitzgerald says.
Residents aged over 50, particularly those with underlying health conditions or who are immunocompromised, will be able to book their second boosters either through Public Health or at their local pharmacy from next Wednesday.
Updated vaccines that offer protection against some of the Omicron subvariants are expected to be available sometime this fall, according to some of the larger drug companies. Fitzgerald points out that this is something to consider when deciding whether to book a second booster now.
It is difficult to know what the supply of the new vaccine might be, warns Fitzgerald. Based on what they know, the greatest risk of serious illness and hospitalization is in the over-50 population.
Masks remain one of the most effective means of preventing the spread of the virus.
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