‘We’re in a different game’: BC health officials update guidance around Omicron variant

If you have any symptoms, even mild ones, you should stay away from others according to the PHO who said the Omicron variant is spreading a lot faster and differently than previous strains of the virus.

The time from before exposure, getting sick, and passing it on has been reduced from other strains.

“You can pass it on before you realize you are infectious,” said Dr. Henry.

Contact tracing is also not able to keep up with a surge in cases, a larger surge is expected here in Northern Health over the coming weeks.

If you are fully vaccinated with only mild symptoms under the age of 65 health officials advise people to assume they have the virus, and not be tested to reduce strain on the number of tests being done.

The goal is to save the capacity for those frontline workers, and others who need to be tested on a regular basis, and for those vulnerable people who need to gets their results as soon as possible.

Here in Northern Health testing centres have not become overwhelmed, although the provincial capacity has reached its maximum according to health officials which ultimately affects the ability to process the tests.

The online COVID-19 test booking form is available for residents in Northern Health through the health authority website.

by Caden Fanshaw

‘We’re in a different game’: BC health officials update guidance around Omicron variant

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