[The Epoch Times, March 16, 2022](The Epoch Times reporter Wang Lan Toronto reported) Ontario’s health minister believes that in the near future, the COVID-19 subvariant BA.2 described as “invisible Omicron” will be infected Likely to account for at least half of all cases reported in Ontario.
Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott said in a news conference Tuesday (March 15) that there is evidence that BA.2 is a subvariant of the original Omicron variant that does not cause more infections Victims are hospitalized or admitted to intensive care units.
The BA.2 subvariant was first identified last November and has now been found in dozens of countries, including North America, parts of Asia, Africa and Europe.
Early research suggests that while BA.2 may be more transmissible than the original Omicron variant, it is unclear whether this strain causes more severe infection symptoms.
Scientists believe that the current COVID-19 vaccine still appears to be effective against BA.2, and the World Health Organization says the immunity possessed by people who have been infected with Omicron provides “robust protection” against reinfection with the subvariant.
Ye Liya’s remarks come as Ontario continues to gradually ease public health measures. Those measures will be further eased on March 21, when the mandatory mask requirement for most indoor settings will be lifted.
Ye Liya said that after consulting with Ontario’s chief health officer, Dr. Kieran Moore, she believes the province should be able to withstand the expected increase in BA.2 infections.
“Dr. Moore believes that we will be able to deal with this variant without further disruption to services in Ontario,” she said.
Ontario’s COVID-19-related hospitalizations and intensive care unit (ICU) occupancy rates have been declining steadily over the past few weeks, with Premier Doug Ford saying Ontario has the lowest per capita hospitalization rate in the country, followed by Prince Edward. island.
With limited access to nucleic acid (PCR) testing, it’s difficult to accurately estimate how many new COVID-19 cases are in Ontario each day, but Ford said Ontario’s health care system is better equipped to handle the increase in cases.
Responsible editor: Yan Feng