COVID-19 Pandemic and Related Health Matters

Update on Increased Growth of Emerging Omicron Variants and Other Respiratory Viruses

In a statement released on November 10, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam informed:

“There is ongoing regional variation in COVID-19 disease indicators, including weekly case counts and laboratory test positivity. Nevertheless, SARS-CoV-2 virus transmission continues across the country, including with increased growth of emerging Omicron variants BQ1.1 and BF.7. At the same time, other respiratory viruses including respiratory syncytial virus — or RSV — and influenza have increased to above seasonal levels as respiratory virus season gets underway early in Canada.

“At the national level, RSV activity began to increase several weeks ago, with lab test positivity above expected levels for this time of the year. More recently, influenza activity increased steeply and has already crossed the seasonal threshold of five per cent lab test positivity. These surveillance indicators point to the need for stepped up precautions as SARS-CoV-2, influenza and other seasonal respiratory viruses could continue to co-circulate in the weeks ahead. We are likely all aware there are reports of heavy strain on emergency departments in many parts of the country. This includes children’s hospitals, where RSV-related admissions have been very high. In addition, over half of recent influenza detections have been in children and teenagers.

“Although public health measures, including our individual prevention practices, kept COVID-19 and seasonal respiratory viruses at bay over the past two plus years, this third winter of COVID-19 comes with some cautions. Firstly, with the relaxing of population public health measures and a return to in-person learning, work and social activities, our contact rates have increased. This means more opportunities for exposure to COVID-19 as well as other seasonal respiratory viruses. In addition, although Canadians achieved among the world’s highest coverage for a primary series of COVID-19 vaccines, many are beyond a six-month time lapse since the last COVID-19 vaccine dose or omicron infection — so immunity is falling, leaving us all less protected against severe disease. Last but not least, immunity to other respiratory viruses is lower given less circulation of these viruses over the past two winters as well as the need to update influenza vaccine protection.”

The Chief Public Health Officer then reiterates the Public Health Agency of Canada’s top three recommendations. The first is to boost one’s immunity, which includes to get vaccinated with a bivalent omicron-targeting booster if it has been six months since a previous vaccination, as well as getting the seasonal flu shot. The second is to protect one’s respiratory tract from viruses, by handwashing, wearing masks in indoor spaces, especially spaces that are crowded or not well ventilated. Thirdly, it is recommended that anyone experiencing symptoms should stay home, to avoid infecting others, including those at high risk of severe respiratory illness such as those who are immunocompromised, as well as infants, young children, pregnant people and older adults.