Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry confirmed B.C.'s first case of omicron was confirmed, in addition to further mask restrictions for faith services. (BC Government)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

FIRST CASE

Mask mandate increased ahead of holiday season, first omicron case confirmed

Nov 30, 2021 | 2:22 PM

NANAIMO — After cases were first detected in eastern Canada of a new COVID-19 variant of concern, B.C. has reported its first instance of omicron.

First detected in southern Africa, the newest variant was discovered in an individual from the Fraser Health region upon return from a trip to Nigeria. They are currently isolating and public health is working through contact tracing.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said during her weekly press briefing on Tuesday, Nov. 30, the province has identified 204 people in B.C. who have recently returned from areas where omicron is prevalent.

“We have a robust program here in B.C. and have had from the very beginning, using whole genome sequencing to understand what strains are transmitting to whom, we’ve been using them to help us identify transmission in outbreaks.”

All 204 have been contacted, sent for PCR testing and are remaining in isolation. Henry did not say whether any of the recent arrivals to the province are from Island Health.

stranger attacks

Man viciously beats Nanaimo security guard and attacked stranger in Campbell River

1h ago

no snow

Chances of a white Christmas for Nanaimo 'quite remote'

14h ago

vehicle damage

Over 40 vehicles damaged during late-night Nanaimo vandalism spree

21h ago

Henry said there was much unknown about the new omicron variant, however public health would continue to gather all available data to guide future decisions.

“This will entail careful surveillance…and enhanced whole genome sequencing…and epidemiological studies to help us understand who is being infected and whether it’s causing more severe disease.”

Dr. Henry touted continued public health measures, pointing to dips in infection rates during the early days of mask mandates, social distancing and in particular, vaccination.

While vaccination won’t prevent 100 per cent of infections, it has had a provable impact on rates of serious illness and hospitalizations with the Delta variant, Dr. Henry said.

“We have not seen a lot of [omicron], we can be confident with the rapid whole genome sequencing that we’ve been doing that it’s not widespread in B.C. right now, what we are seeing is 99.6 per cent of our cases are the Delta strains.”

Ahead of the holiday season, a major time of year for several religions and faith groups, the province is also ramping up its mask mandate.

Effective immediately all participants in a worship service, including choirs, are required to wear a mask. Exceptions are being made for eating and drinking during a service, such as during communion.

Removal of a face mask is also possible during a service for participants if social distancing can be maintained.

The province is also re-instituting a 50 per cent capacity limit for all churches and places of worship unless the congregation is screened using the B.C. vaccine passport prior to entry.

Public health is also removing additional public health measures from Interior and Northern Health after reduced transmission rates. The changes bring those health authorities in line with the rest of the province.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW