Steady rise in immune-evading Omicron variants CanadaHealth Canada’s latest COVID-19 epidemiology report good shows.
Some variants such as BQ.1, BQ.1.1 and BF.7 were found in recent weeks in clinical sequencing. BQ 1.1 increased by 2.5 percentage points, from 5.9 percent in the week of October 30 to 8.4 percent in the week of November 6.
However, according to reports, the previously dominant BA.5.2 and BA.5.2.1 lineages seem to be dwindling.
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The BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 variants are one of the sub-lineages of the BA.5 omicron variant, according to World Health Organization (WHO).
Both BQ variants have genetic changes that make it harder for the immune system to recognize and neutralize the virus, resulting in more people becoming infected with COVID-19. reuters informed of.
For the week of November 13 to November 19, there were 15,085 COVID cases in Canada, compared to 15,682 for the previous week. November 6 to 12Thereafter there was a steady decline in the number of deaths and hospitalizations from the virus.
The highest number of cases were found in Ontario with 5,730, and Quebec came second with a total of 5,324 cases.
Ontario saw a drop in cases compared to the previous period, which saw 6,863 cases.
The number of COVID-related deaths for the week of November 13 to November 19 stood at 267, with Ontario once again recording the highest number of 111 deaths.
Between November 14 and November 21, the total number of hospital beds for COVID-19 patients decreased from 5,638 to 5,457, and the number of mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients in intensive care units increased from 103 to 111.
Despite data showing a decline in COVID-related hospitalizations in Canada compared to previous months, In the past months there has been an increase in influenza and respiratory illness across the country.
In her article, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said, “As long as influenza, RSV, SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses continue to co-circulate at high levels, Canadians will be exposed to one or more of these viruses.” Will face more.” Nov 25 Comment.
He added that maintaining “good habits” such as frequent hand washing and wearing a mask can help reduce the risk of infection.
“Similarly, covering coughs and sneezes and staying home if symptoms develop are important measures you can take to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others,” Tam said.
“At the moment, it makes sense to dial down our vaccines as well as practices to increase our level of protection, especially in light of the large impact on our overstretched health systems and pediatric hospitals,” Tam said.
In June, Tam said that the efficiency of a COVID-19 vaccine would increase significantly over time — dropping from 50 to 80 percent effectiveness to 20 percent or less six months after the second dose — as he asked Canadians to “vaccinate” with his vaccines. “Staying Up to Date” is recommended. rather than being limited to a specific number of doses.
According to Health Canada, as of November 6, 83.1 per cent of Canadians have received at least 1 dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 80.4 per cent of Canadians have completed the primary two-dose series.
Only 50 per cent of Canadians have received their first booster shot and 18.7 per cent have received their second booster shot.
Here’s an analysis of the number of COVID-19 cases in Canada for the week of November 13 to November 19:
British Columbia: 495
Alberta: 1,378
Saskatchewan: 435
Manitoba: 314
Ontario: 5,730
Quebec: 5,324
New Brunswick: 436
Price Edward Island: 280
Nova Scotia: 526
Newfoundland and Labrador: 149
First Nations reserves: 575
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