Ontario child becomes York Region's first confirmed Omicron variant case
York Region Public Health confirmed its first positive case of the new Omicron variant on Friday.
According to York Region's Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Barry Pakes, a young child tested positive after a recent trip.
"It's a case among a person who is too young to be vaccinated who recently travelled to South Africa with a family member," Dr. Pakes said.
"That person has two household members who have also tested positive for COVID, but the screen is not yet available for Omicron."
Public health anticipates having the screening test back "soon," but could not provide a definite timeline.
While the screening has yet to confirm whether the other two individuals have the latest mutation of COVID-19, Dr. Pakes believes it is likely the region will have three Omicron cases.
Dr. Pakes said it was only a matter of time before the new variant made its way to the area.
"This was expected. It's not surprising at all," he stated.
"We've seen quite a few cases in Ontario, and Canada and throughout the world, and they are travel-related. There's no evidence of any transmission within York Region," he added.
Dr. Pakes said all three individuals are self-isolating in their home. He said he doesn't believe there is any risk to the community.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Rainfall warnings of up to 80 mm among weather alerts in effect for 6 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres and other alerts have been issued for six Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.