A study by the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec (INSPQ), the results of which were released Monday, indicates that the Omicron variant does not seem to be circulating in Quebec for the moment.
The INSPQ carried out a one-off survey using data from November 30 to get a picture of the situation.
Indeed, all samples positive for COVID-19 from that day were subjected to a screening analysis, when the viral load of the sample was large enough.
Result: of the 1174 positive samples screened, 894 were screened. Of this number, no Omicron variant was detected.
This is what prompted the INSPQ to say that there does not seem to be any community transmission of this variant in Quebec, apart from cases related to travelers.
To date, only one case of the Omicron variant has been confirmed in Quebec. This is a traveler returning from Nigeria and residing in Quebec. The case was confirmed by sequencing on November 29.
“Cases from travelers and their contacts are being investigated to determine whether they are cases of the Omicron variant”, specifies the INSPQ.
Specific screening
Now, all travelers returning from a trip abroad who test positive for COVID-19 are screened for the presence of Omicron.
Remember that this new variant was detected for the first time on November 25 in South Africa. It was designated a variant of concern by the World Health Organization the next day, following the sharp rise in cases. It is also considered worrying in Canada and Quebec: a classification which implies greater surveillance.
The Omicron variant is of concern because of the many mutations in its genome. But current data does not allow us to know whether it is actually more transmissible or more resistant to vaccines.