Grey Bruce COVID case under investigation for Omicron variant

COVID 19
On December 9, 2021, the Grey Bruce Health Unit is managing a COVID-19 case conforming with the case definition of “Patient under Investigation for Omicron”. Our team is conducting an enhanced management of the case and high risk contacts, while we await the result from the advanced whole genome sequencing.

At this point, there is still limited evidence on this new variant. There is no clear information to suggest that the vaccine is not effective in reducing the likelihood of infection and complications from this variant. Early evidence suggests the vaccine is effective at the prevention of both infection and severe illness for those infected, and that a booster dose is a supportive way to enhance this protection.

Getting your full vaccine series and booster dose when eligible and following basic COVID-19 prevention methods is critical for the residents of Grey and Bruce to help contain this new variant.

Locally, we are reminded of the importance of the basics of COVID-19 prevention, along with vaccination. These prevention strategies include:

Stay at home if you are sick or unwell.
Getting Vaccinated with your full series, and third dose as eligible
Screening before work, school and childcare
- If you do not pass the screening – follow the instructions!
Practice Physical Distancing
Washing your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer - Hand Hygiene
Sneeze and cough into your sleeve
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
Avoid contact with people who are sick
Clean and disinfect high-touch objects and surfaces frequently
Wear a face covering in indoor public places or when physical distancing may be difficult.
Follow all required and recommended practices as outlined here:
- COVID-19 public health measures and advice | COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Ontario

Ontario will rapidly identify, trace and isolate COVID-19 and its variants. The province is taking several other measures in the fight against COVID-19 and its variants, including:

Further expanding free PCR testing at all testing centres to asymptomatic individuals who have returned from, or travelled in, Nigeria, Malawi and Egypt between November 1st and December 6th, 2021
The province is distributing 11 million rapid antigen screening tests to all public schools and participating First Nation schools for each student to take home five tests to use over the holidays and throughout the return to in-person learning in January.
The Province will be releasing enhanced guidance on case, contact and outbreak management for individuals that may have been exposed to the Omicron variant to mitigate further transmission.

On December 2, 2021, the province announced via a media announcement “Ontario Accelerating Booster Eligibility to Adults Aged 50+ | Ontario Newsroom” of details regarding enhanced vaccine eligibility and new public health measures. These measures have been developed to counter the potential risk related to this new variant.

On Monday, December 13, 2021 at 8 am, individuals aged 50 years and over will be eligible to book their third dose appointment. Appointments can be made through the COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre. Appointments may also be made through select pharmacies and primary care settings. Appointments will be booked for approximately six months (168 days) after a second dose.

Beginning in January, Ontario will further expand eligibility for booster doses based on age and risk, with an interval of six to eight months from the second dose.

This announcement does NOT change eligibility criteria for any other group currently eligible. For details, please visit: