Omicron found in 2 Canadians back from Africa

Two cases of the quickly-spreading Omicron variant of the coronavirus have been confirmed in Canada, officials said Sunday.

“Today, the province of Ontario has confirmed two cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Ottawa, both of which were reported in individuals with recent travel from Nigeria,” provincial officials said in a statement.

The potentially more infectious variant of the virus is now right across the northern border from the United States, where no cases have yet been confirmed. White House chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci has suggested that the variant may already be spreading domestically.

Canada implemented new travel restrictions from several African countries Friday, notably not including Nigeria.

Foreign nationals who have traveled to South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Namibia within the previous 14 days will not be permitted into Canada.

The measure is in effect until Jan. 31, 2022.

Canadian citizens who had traveled to the countries will be “subject to enhanced testing, screening and quarantine measures” before they are readmitted into the country.

The Omicron variant has already also been detected in Britain, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Belgium, Botswana, Israel, Australia and Hong Kong. Israel has sealed its borders to all travelers for 14 days as an extreme measure of caution against the new variant, effective Sunday night.

The State Department on Saturday warned Americans against traveling to South Africa and seven of its neighbors — also not including Nigeria — amidst growing fears of the new Omicron variant. Travel to the region will halt Monday.

The symptoms of the Omicron variant so far appear to be milder than others, such as the Delta variant.

But Fauci on Sunday warned that the Omicron variant is “troublesome” because it contains possibly dozens of mutations that could evade immunity from past infections and vaccines.

Still, Fauci and National Institute of Health Director Francis Collins have urged Americans to get the vaccine as it may provide the best defense against the variant.