Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw held an unscheduled public health update to notify Albertans that a case of the omicron variant of COVID-19 has been identified in Alberta. 

“This case has been confirmed in a returning traveller from Nigeria and the Netherlands. The individual tested positive while asymptomatic and I can confirm that this individual has not left quarantine since they’re arrival from international travel,” said Hinshaw. 

The confirmed case continues to be the only omicron variant case in Alberta at this time. 

During the briefing the Chief Medical Officer of Health provided more information on the ominicron variant. 

“Most of what we know is really based on the genetic sequencing where we look at all the genes in this particular variant. We know that there are a large number of mutations present on the spike protein. Which is the protein that is typically the target of neutralizing antibodies that are generated both after an infection and also after someone received the vaccine,” she explained. 

There are also other mutations in other gene sequencing that may impact the behaviour of the strain of the virus in different ways. 

“In places where it has been identified in the highest numbers and really those are the only places where we would have indication about the behaviour of this particular virus. So far, the cases have been mostly mild. Although, they also have been identified in mostly younger people. So, it is difficult to determine whether or not there is any difference in outcomes with this variant,” said Hinshaw. 

One thing of note is that the new variant at this time, seems to have a higher risk of re-infection. 

“There is this early indication that possibly there may be a higher risk of reinfection post previous infection. We don’t know yet whether or not vaccine effectiveness will be impacted by this variant. It’s too early to tell,” added the doctor. 

With other variants, Dr. Hinshaw noted that vaccines have offered protection against severe outcomes from the variant cases. 

November 30th new case numbers:

  • 238 new cases of the virus for November 29th
  • 4,545 active cases in Alberta
  • 434 people are hospitalized with COVID
  • 81 people admitted to ICUs with COVID
  • 3,248 total deaths from the virus in Alberta

Active case numbers in the Central Alberta area:

  • 22 active cases in the City of Lacombe
  • 17 active cases in the County of Lacombe
  • 110 active cases in the City of Red Deer
  • 43 active cases in the County of Red Deer
  • 43 active cases in the County of Ponoka
  • 16 active cases in the Town of Sylvan Lake
  • 22 active cases in the County of Stettler

**Not all cases in the Central Zone have been included.