Omicron variant of

COVID-19 in Canada
  Coronavirus SARS CoV 2
 
Scientifically accurate atomic model of the external structure of SARS-CoV-2. Each “ball” is an atom [Wikipedia]

­On Sunday, November 28, the Ontario government reported that there were two confirmed first cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant in Ottawa. As of Tuesday, November 30, there are now at least six cases in Canada.

The new variant of concern was first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) from South Africa on November 24, 2021. It is now raising alarm around the world, causing a wave of new travel restrictions in Canada, United States, and other countries.

In a statement released Sunday, federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said the confirmation of two omicron cases is a signal that the country’s monitoring system is working but to expect more cases of the variant.

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IKEA Philippines is open

Largest in the world
  IKEA PASAY
 
Image credit: SM Mall of Asia Official FB page

The biggest IKEA store in the world opened its doors in the Mall of Asia, Pasay City, on Thursday, November 25, 2021. Covering almost 68,000 square metres (730,000 sq. ft.) on its five floors, IKEA Philippines is slightly larger than the Palace of Versailles and houses a huge showroom, dining area, warehouse, and a call centre to back up its e-commerce arm.

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COVID-19 Bulletin #535 • December 3, 2021

COVID DEC 3 2021

No cases of the B.1.1.529 (omicron) variant have been detected in Manitoba at this time and the province can confirm that all positive travel-related specimens are being sequenced. 

The province continues to monitor the situation and work with federal officials in the fight against COVID-19 and its variants. Federal travel restrictions can be found at https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid. 

Anyone returning from a country identified by the Government of Canada as requiring quarantine must self-identify their past 14-day travel history when seeking care at any health-care facility or if calling 911. Visitors who have travelled to any of these countries in the past 14 days will not be permitted access to health-care facilities. 

The province urges Manitobans to follow the public health orders, focus on the fundamentals and get vaccinated. Vaccination still provides one of the best defences against COVID-19. Manitobans can find a vaccine location at https://protectmb.ca/making-your-appointment-is-easy/. 

Public health officials advise seven new deaths in people with COVID-19 are being reported today:

  • a female in her 70s from the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region, linked to an outbreak at Salem Home (reported Thursday);
  • a male in his 80s from the Prairie Mountain Health region (reported Thursday);
  • a male in his 90s from the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region, linked to an outbreak at Third Crossing Manor (reported Thursday);
  • a male in his 70s from the Prairie Mountain Health region (reported Friday);
  • a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Friday);
  • a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Friday); and
  • a female in her 100s from the Winnipeg health region (reported Friday).

Today's five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 5.1 per cent provincially and 2.7 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 319 new cases of the virus have been identified since Wednesday: 172 cases on Thursday, Dec. 2; and 147 cases today. This includes: 

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