Quebec confirms 1st case of omicron COVID-19 variant

One case of the new omicron COVID-19 variant has been confirmed in Quebec, the provincial government announced Monday.

Public Health Director Dr. Horacio Arruda, speaking at a news conference, said tests revealed the newstrain ina woman who had recently returned from Nigeria.

This comes after two cases of variant, also from Nigeria, were confirmed in Ottawa. Those cases were found to have returned to the country through Montreal's airport.

Arruda would not confirm whether the cases were related.

Health Minister Christian Dub said the case was discovered after 115 people in the provincewho had travelled to southern African countries were asked totake a new COVID-19 test and isolate, in accordance with new federal government rules announced Friday.

WATCH |Health Minister Christian Dub announces first omicron variant case in Quebec:

Quebec Health Minister Christian Dub confirms omicron COVID-19 variant is in Quebec

3 years ago

Duration 0:36

Christian Dub announced Monday that one case of the new omicron variant is in Quebec. He said the government is monitoring whether the new strain is more contagious and if it's resistant to vaccines.

Government is following variant 'closely'

Dub said the government is monitoring two things about the new variant: if it's more contagious and if it's resistant to vaccines. He said expert analysis should clarify those points in the next two weeks.

"We don't know what to expect with this new variant, but the federal government is following this closely," he said.

Dub cautioned that Canada could potentially impose stricter re-entry requirements for those travelling abroad, and asked Quebecers to reconsider any plans to travelthis holiday season.

"No matter where you travel, you must be careful," he warned, pointing to how many countries have confirmed cases of the omicron variant.

Cases of the variant have been registered in countries including the Netherlands, Australia, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, China, Italy, Germany, Belgium and Israel.

"The next few weeks will be critical."

Dub said he would support stronger testing and screening measures for travellers entering the country, at least until more is known about the variant.

Canada has currently barredall foreign nationals who have travelled through South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho,Eswatinior Mozambique from entering the country.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents who travel to those regions will be allowed to return home, but will need to get a negative molecular test in a third country before being allowed to enter Canada. They will also undergo additional testing once they land and will have to wait for their results in a designated hotel.

More restrictions possible but not yet

In Quebec, Dub did not rule out tightening public health measures, but said the government will wait to know more about the variant before making a decision.

When asked about larger, public events such as concerts at the Bell Centre Arrudasaid those types of gatherings aren't the ones fuelling transmission in the province, because attendees have to be vaccinated.

Instead, he pointed to home gatherings and schools, where people are potentially unvaccinated and in close contact.Dubunderlined that Quebec still has restrictions on private indoor gatherings, which limit the numberof people to 10.

Arruda said that if omicron ismore contagious, then it will likely replace delta as the predominantvariant of COVID-19 in Quebec.