First case of Omicron variant confirmed in Alberta, patient remains in quarantine
The Alberta government has announced the province's first confirmed case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 as the federal government implements new testing rules for travellers returning to Canada.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw disclosed Alberta's first Omicron case during Tuesday afternoon's COVID-19 update.
"This case has been confirmed in a returning traveller from Nigeria and the Netherlands," said Hinshaw. "The individual tested positive while asymptomatic and I can confirm the individual has not left quarantine since their arrival from international travel."
According to Hinshaw, the infected individual has not left quarantine and both they and their family have been informed of the positive test.
"At this time, this is the only confirmed case of Omicron in the province."
On Monday the province confirmed 156 Albertans were in quarantine after returning from travel in a country in southern Africa due to concerns regarding the potential spread of the altered Omicron variant.
"While it is important that we all continue to remain vigilant in the face of COVID-19 to protect ourselves and others, we don't want Albertans to be alarmed," said Hinshaw.
"As I mentioned yesterday, we anticipated the arrival of this variant in the province eventually based on what we have seen with other strains of COVID-19. We are well prepared for this eventuality and have the necessary tools in place to monitor this case and any potential spread of the variant."
With cases of the Omicron variant confirmed in more provinces, the federal government is imposing new testing rules for people arriving in the country from all nations, except the US.
“All air travelers coming from outside Canada, apart from the United States, will now need to be tested at the airport in which they are landing in Canada -- whether they are vaccinated or unvaccinated," said federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos.
"They will then need to isolate themselves until they get the result of their test,” he announced. The minister said Canada is exploring whether to eventually include travellers returning from the US to its new testing rules.
Canada is also expanding the list of countries facing a federal travel ban.
All foreign nationals who have visited Nigeria, Malawi and Egypt at any time in the last 14 days will be denied entry into Canada, the government announced Tuesday afternoon.
The three nations join South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini as countries already subject to Canadian travel restrictions due to concerns over the Omicron variant.
As of Tuesday, there have also been confirmed Omicron cases in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.
With files from CTV Calgary's Jordan Kanygin
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Arrest made, manslaughter charge pending in 2022 death of Calgary toddler
Calgary police have arrested a man and a charge is pending in connection with the death of a toddler in 2022.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public
New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson Airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
Prince William returns to public duties after wife Kate's cancer revelation
Prince William will return to public duties on Thursday for the first time since his wife Kate revealed she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
Russia reports downing 5 Ukrainian military balloons in Kyiv's latest apparent war innovation
Russian air defences downed what authorities described as five Ukrainian balloons overnight, the defence ministry in Moscow said Thursday, as the sides kept up long-range strikes that have featured heavily in what has largely become a war of attrition.