Sask. top doc predicts life in the 'Omicron era'
Saskatchewan Medical Health Officer Saqib Shahab compared living with the Omicron COVID-19 variant to the annual flu season.
"While we are moving to a different phase, you know, I've called it the Omicron era, we need to be cautious that each infectious disease is unique and each infectious disease evolves," he said Thursday in an online media briefing.
A well-matched flu vaccine can prevent 60 per cent of illnesses and even in those years, seniors in long-term care get a high-dose vaccine. Those people still have a worse response to the flu, but antivirals and other treatments are available for people at high risk, he said.
"Obviously, everyone doesn't take antivirals for influenza, people at high risk are able to take antivirals. So using the same analogy, you know, our the evolution of COVID has evolved, where we now have booster doses available. The vaccine effectiveness, especially after a booster dose, is extremely high to prevent hospitalization.
"But as we know through our breakthrough analysis that people at high risk — older, immune-suppressed — are still at higher risk of being hospitalized."
He said the province's breakthrough case data for January will show the same experience as other provinces who are further ahead on the Omicron curve, as well as the United Kingdom: that COVID-19 is moving more from a severe illness in the unvaccinated, which Omicron can still be at any age, to also affecting those with two doses of vaccine — and rarely those with a booster — and older people with underlying risk factors.
"So that's now more similar to how influenza behaves when there's a poor vaccine match. And we know that while the vaccine is still very effective for most people in preventing hospitalizations, it is there's some loss of efficacy due to the Omicron variant which will show some vaccine escape, and that's why boosting is important and also, where appropriate, access to therapeutics."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Flights divert around western Iran as one report claims explosions heard near Isfahan
Commercial flights began diverting their routes early Friday morning over western Iran without explanation as one semiofficial news agency in the Islamic Republic claimed there had been 'explosions' heard over the city of Isfahan.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.