What Do We Know About Omicron?
Omicron is a strain of COVID-19 that was first detected in South Africa on November 9. There is no indication the variant originated in South Africa; that’s just where it was first detected. Since the variant is so new, scientists are quickly trying to learn as much about it as possible, and what we do know will change. As such, the numbers you see below will change in the coming weeks, as more evidence comes in.
Canada is seeing rapidly growing COVID-19 case numbers, and this trend is likely to continue for several weeks. Most of this is fuelled by the spread of the Omicron variant, which is becoming the dominant variant in Canada.
Yes. someone with Omicron is at least three times more likely than someone with Delta to pass the virus to a household member.
Yes, the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna, in Canada) appear to provide protection against severe illness. Two doses of Pfizer or Moderna seem to offer approximately 70% protection against hospitalization, compared to the unvaccinated.
Two doses of Pfizer or Moderna are about 35% effective at preventing symptomatic infection by Omicron (that is, infection where the person shows some symptoms). With a third dose, these vaccines’ effectiveness against Omicron infection increases to approximately 75%. This is why it is critical that everyone get a 3rd dose as soon as they are eligible.
Omicron carries more than three times the genetic mutations that other variants have, and that means it looks different to the antibodies generated by vaccines to fight the virus.
However, the good news is that antibodies are only one part of person’s immune-system. Even if an infection begins, for those who are vaccinated it’s still more likely that other immune cells will start to recognize those parts of the coronavirus that haven’t mutated, allowing immune cells to swing into action.
No. We are dramatically better off than we were near the beginning of the pandemic. While vaccines are not 100-per-cent effective, no one ever expected they would be. Vaccination dramatically reduces the risk of hospitalization and death, and that’s true even with the new variants. We’ve also gotten much better at treating COVID-19 disease, with the arrival of antivirals, and a better understanding of how to best use monoclonal antibodies and other drugs.
Yes, it’s true, but it’s a false equivalence. As American professor Dr. Sarah Parcak responded in a now viral tweet, that’s like saying “both Serena Williams and I can play tennis.” It hides the underlying reality - the unvaccinated are still far more likely to be infected (and thus to infect others) and to become seriously ill if they get the virus.
Yes. Early data from South Africa suggests that with Omicron, there is a much higher chance of people who already had Covid getting reinfected than there was with the original virus and previous variants.
Yes, if you have had COVID before AND have had two doses of an mRNA vaccine, this appears to provide stronger protection against Omicron than if you had only received two doses of vaccine. The combination of vaccination and exposure to the virus seems to be stronger than only having the vaccine.
There is some evidence to suggest that infection with Omicron results in less severe illness than with previous strains. Even if it does turn out to be true that Omicron infection is less severe, because the virus is so easily transmitted to others, hospitals will see large numbers of cases over the next few weeks, possibly peaking in January or early February, because of the sheer number of people being infected.
Vaccines. Vaccines remain the most powerful and effective tool we have against all forms of Covid. Strong protection against Omicron requires 3 doses. This is not new - lots of vaccines require 3 or even 4 doses. This is particularly important for those who are older and those with significant chronic illness, for whom an infection could mean serious risk of complication or death. That’s why it’s important to get your third dose as soon as you are eligible for it.
Rapid Tests. Rapid tests are also important. If you suspect you may have been infected, or have to go into a situation where you will be exposed to a larger number of other people, use a rapid test to determine whether you should isolate and avoid infecting others.
Caution. Avoid large holiday parties and other unmasked indoor gatherings. Cultural events such as concerts and theatre shows are much safer if everyone remains masked.
Public Health Measures. Regular public health measures continue to be the best way to protect yourself - physical distance from others not in your household whenever possible, wear a tight-fitting 3-layer mask OR K95/N95, wash or sanitize your hands regularly, and stay home if you are not feeling well.
While PCR tests are still the gold standard, they take much longer to generate results than rapid tests which you can get at a pharmacy and take home. Remember that a test is merely a snapshot in time, and because Omicron appears to have a shorter incubation period than past variants, results from a few days ago may not mean much - you could have been infected since then. If you get a positive result on a rapid test, it is recommended that you get a PCR test to confirm this, as rapid tests have variable accuracy.
Considering Omicron's contagiousness, you should ensure that you are wearing a 3-layer disposable mask or KN95/N95 mask.
Some cloth masks do not have 3 layers and can often be poorly fitting, leaving space around the sides.
N95 or KN95 masks provide a tighter fit and have a higher filtration rate.
All masks work in two directions: protecting others by filtering out the aerosols in the breath of the wearer, and protecting the wearer by keeping aerosols exhaled by others from entering their respiratory system.
When someone who is vaccinated gets infected, it’s called a breakthrough infection.
Thankfully, most breakthrough infections tend to be mild cases, and that seems to hold true for Omicron, especially for those who have booster shots. Breakthrough infections are unlikely to lead to hospitalization for most people, but you should seek emergency care if you develop any severe symptoms, such as trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, or confusion.
Aside from getting a booster shot, the best thing vaccinated people can do is make sure they’re ready for a breakthrough infection before it strikes. It may be useful to have access to rapid tests in case any COVID symptoms appear. Talk to your family or roommates about where the best place to isolate is in your home. Think about how you would miss 10 days of work, or work from home, if you usually work in person.
Contact your doctor or central health line. Once you know you’re infected, your doctor or health line will likely advise you to isolate and take care of yourself. Breakthrough infections are unlikely to lead to hospitalization for most people, but you should seek emergency care if you develop any severe symptoms, such as trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, or confusion. Follow the advice of your local health unit.
The guidelines vary by province, but in general you should isolate for at least 10 days from when you first had symptoms. If your symptoms persist after 10 days, you need to continue isolating until they resolve, except for loss of taste or smell, which might take a couple of weeks to resolve.
If you need to self-isolate and live with other people, try to limit your movements to an area, like a basement, or room. Use your own dedicated bathroom if possible. If you need to share a bathroom, open any windows and turn on the bathroom fan. Allowing good ventilation between users is critical. Also, keep Lysol wipes or bathroom spray on hand to wipe down high-touch surfaces like toilet handles and faucets.
Get tested yourself as soon as possible. This is important not just for you, but for everyone you have been in contact with.
The Government of Canada has issued a travel advisory, recommending against non-essential travel outside Canada. If you do travel for unavoidable reasons, double-check your out-of-country health insurance to make sure you would be covered if you got COVID, given the federal travel advisory. Also, consider in advance what you would do if you were prevented from coming back into Canada if you test positive prior to traveling home - some people travelling abroad have been stuck away for weeks until they test negative.
You should check the requirements with the province or territory you are visiting. See this list for more details.
No, this isn’t reason for panic - we’re in a much better position than at the start of the pandemic. But we shouldn’t be complacent either - get a booster shot as soon as possible, use rapid testing, upgrade your mask; try to have better ventilation when in enclosed spaces, physical distance from those not in your household, and stay home if you’re not well.