On Monday January 17, 2022; Fisher River Health Services have received confirmation of our first lab confirmed positive of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the community. As per testing procedures, any positive COVID-19 tests taken at the Health Centre are sent to the provincial lab for additional sequencing to identify which of the many variants of concern it is.
Earlier in the month, First Nation Inuit Health Branch instructed all First Nation health organizations to treat every case as it is the Omicron Variant.
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE OMICRON VARIANT
The highly transmissible Omicron variant of COVID-19 is driving an unprecedented surge of infections globally.
The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has been called a variant of concern by WHO based on the evidence that it has several mutations that may have an impact on how it behaves. There is consistent evidence that Omicron is spreading significantly faster than the Delta variant in countries with documented community transmission, with a doubling time of 2-3 days. The overall risk related to this new variant remains very high.
Early findings suggest that there is a reduced risk of hospitalization for Omicron compared to the Delta variant. But WHO warns that it should not be dismissed as “mild”. Increased transmission is expected to lead to more hospitalizations. That increase causes strain on frontline workers and healthcare systems, which in turn can result in more deaths.
It is important to remember that all variants of COVID-19 can cause severe disease or death, including the Delta variant that is still dominant worldwide, which is why preventing the spread of the virus and reducing your risk of exposure to the virus is so important.
The Omicron variant is more contagious than previous variants. However, being vaccinated and taking precautions such as avoiding crowded spaces, keeping your distance from others and wearing a mask are critical in helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and we know these actions have been effective against other variants.
If you develop symptoms or are not sure if you should be tested, contact Fisher River Health Services COVID-19 Hotline at 431.256.0395 between 8:30am – 4:30pm. For after hours you can contact Percy E. Moore Hospital at 204.372.8444 or Health Links – Info Santé is available for questions or medical concerns at 204-788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257. Or if you are needing to speak to someone regarding mental wellness, please contact the Rainbow House Wellness Centre 24 Hour Line a 431.256.0359.
