Increase of Omicron causing concern among health officials

• Take necessary steps to stop spread
• Omicron spreads faster airborne

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in other areas of British Columbia, Interior Health is advising residents in the Interior to expect a similar increase and urges the public to take steps to minimize the spread.

In a Christmas Eve press conference, Dr. Bonnie Henry said Omicron is spreading much differently than previous variants and at this point, we’re in a different pandemic.

“We know more about the infectiousness of Omicron right now. And it is more highly infectious than any other strains of this virus that we’ve seen,” she said. “There’s data showing up from around the world that tells us that we can get more breakthrough infections in people who’ve been fully vaccinated but they tend to be less severe.”

While the province’s top doctor has previously said everyone will likely be exposed to Omicron, it doesn’t mean everyone will get severely sick.

“What we are seeing is Omicron is more likely to attach to the upper airway,” she said. “It can spread more easily especially with activities like singing or talking closely to each other indoors where ventilation is poor and breathing hard.

Some other key messages from the province on Friday include booking your booster dose as soon as you are eligible.

People are also asked to stay home if feeling unwell and to use the BC COVID-19 Self-Assesment Tool to determine if you need a test as testing sites are experiencing increased demand.

If people have mild symptoms and no risk factors, they should self isolate for seven to 10 days. Residents who no symptoms, do not need a test and will not be able to book one.

People should gather outdoors rather than indoors and minimize non-essential travel. Personal gatherings should be small and limited to people who are fully vaccinated with up to 10 guests or one other household.

In a media release, Interior Health Medical Officer Silvina Mema said while the holidays are important, it is equally as important to reduce the risk of spread .

“Omicron is much more transmissible, and gatherings can increase our risk of being exposed,” she said. “For this reason, we are asking residents in the Interior region to please follow the provincial order to allow for safer gatherings this holiday.”

Anyone who is feeling sick must stay home and follow public health advice.

More on BC’s Omicron restrictions can be found online.