Ontario confirms first two cases of Omicron variant in Canada

Ontario has confirmed the first two known cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant in Canada.

The two cases are in Ottawa and linked to recent travel from Nigeria, according to a statement on Sunday from Health Minister Christine Elliott and Kieran Moore, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.

The Public Health Agency of Canada on Sunday said genomic monitoring, as well as border surveillance, identified the cases.

“As the monitoring and testing continues with provinces and territories, it is expected that other cases of this variant will be found in Canada,” Mr.

“I know that this new variant may seem concerning, but I want to remind Canadians that vaccination, in combination with public health and individual protective measures, is working to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and its variants in our communities.”.