First local case of the omicron variant is confirmed in Guelph, as public health checks close contacts

The first confirmed local case of the omicron variant of COVID-19 has been detected in a Guelph male between the ages of 10 and 20, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health reported Friday.

The youth was fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the public health division said in a news release, and has experienced mild symptoms.

That a case of the omicron variant has now been confirmed in the community is a "reminder that we must remain vigilant," said Dr. Nicola Mercer, CEO and medical officer of health for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health.

Public health said it is investigating the case and cases that are potentially related. Officials say they'll be contacting anyone or places identified as high-risk exposures. 

There are no cases of the omicron variant yet in Waterloo region nor has it been detected in wastewater samples, but the region's medical officer of health says she expects to see it.

"It will be here anytime in Waterloo region but it doesn't change what we need to do," Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang said Friday during a scheduled media briefing.

Keep holiday gatherings as small as possible: Wang

The omicron variant, along with rising case numbers in the region, is why Wang is recommending people rethink holiday plans and "do what they can to scale back non-essential gatherings."

While some medical officers of health have suggested people keep gatherings to 10 people or fewer, Wang wouldn't put a number on how many should gather.

"I am recommending people make their gatherings as small as possible," she said instead. 

She said she is also "strongly recommending" that workplaces cancel or minimize in-person gatherings over the holidays.

"We need to act now to increase vaccinations and reduce non-essential social contacts," she said.

Vaccine appointments for children have slowed

Vickie Murray, the region's vaccine services director, said more than 30 per cent of children aged five to 11 have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

But she acknowledged uptake in appointments has started to slow.

Now, the focus will be on encouraging people who may have been too busy to get their children into vaccination clinics. Murray said it's hoped parents and guardians will find time over the holidays, when children aren't in school, to get those first pediatric doses.

For children who have been directed to self-isolate because of a case in their class or on their bus, Wang said they are able to get the vaccine as soon as the child is no longer under isolation.

The region is holding a mass immunization event this weekend to encourage children to get vaccinated, with the Pinebush vaccination clinic rebranded as "Camp Pinebush." There will be music and special appearances by Star Wars characters and Santa Claus on the weekend.

As well, the region set up three additional pop-up clinics:

• Saturday at Chandler Mowat Community Centre, 222 Chandler Dr., Kitchener, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Saturday at Victoria Hills Community Centre, 10 Chopin Dr., Kitchener from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Sunday at Cedarbrae Public School, 230 Cedarbrae Ave., Waterloo, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The region said all clinics have space to offer third doses to adults 70 and older, as well as health-care workers. Those individuals are eligible for a third dose six months, or 168 days, after their second shot.

The clinics are not walk-ins and people are asked to book an appointment through the region's website.

51 new cases

Region of Waterloo Public Health reported 51 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday.

There were no new deaths reported. There were 11 people listed as being in the region's three hospitals infectious with the virus. There were three people in the intensive care unit. People in ICU may no longer be infectious, but require ongoing care, the region says.

There were 15 outbreaks, eight of which were in schools:

• Southridge Public School in Kitchener with 16 cases over multiple cohorts. The school is closed to in-person learning and is not expected to reopen until the new year.
• St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Elementary School in Cambridge with six cases over multiple cohorts.
• Saint John Paul II Catholic Elementary School in Kitchener with four cases.
• Sir Adam Beck Public School in Baden with four cases over multiple cohorts.
• Glencairn Public School in Kitchener with three cases.
• Lester B. Pearson Public School in Waterloo with three cases.
• Mary Johnston Public School in Waterloo with two cases.
• Forest Glen Public School in New Hamburg with two cases.

Wang noted rapid tests were being sent home to students at three schools to have children tested before attending class: St. Vincent De Paul, Saint John Paul II and Sir Adam Beck. 

The move to provide rapid tests will hopefully mean the schools can stay open for the final week before winter break, Wang said.

The other seven outbreaks were:

• Two at construction workplaces: One with four cases, one with three cases.
• A retail store with four cases.
• A transportation workplace with three cases.
• One related to ringette with two cases.
• An automobile sales and service workplace with two cases.
• One at Grand River Hospital, although the number of cases was not released.