By Staff
November 28th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Ontario reported another 964 COVID-19 cases and one more death, according to its latest report released Sunday morning.
South African scientists identified a new version of the coronavirus that they say is behind a recent spike in COVID-19 infections in Gauteng, the country’s most populous province.
It’s unclear where the new variant first emerged, but scientists in South Africa alerted the World Health Organization in recent days, and it has now been seen in travelers arriving in several countries, from Australia to Israel to the Netherlands.
A graphic depiction of the most recent COVID19 variant – omicron.
On Friday, the WHO designated it as a “variant of concern,” naming it “omicron” after a letter in the Greek alphabet.
Health Minister Joe Phaahla said the variant was linked to an “exponential rise” of cases in the last few days.
From just over 200 new confirmed cases per day in recent weeks, South Africa saw the number of new daily cases rocket to more than 3,200 Saturday, most in Gauteng.
Struggling to explain the sudden rise in cases, scientists studied virus samples and discovered the new variant. Now, as many as 90% of the new cases in Gauteng are caused by it, according to Tulio de Oliveira, director of the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform.
The source for this information is the Associated Press, an internationally known and respected news service.
We are heading into a very dark winter.
How much more science do we need to know to get real about the virus? Granted, we don’t have a lot of key details on this one, but we have already been told Omicron is the latest variant that is mutating and evolving so as the better to get to us. One way they do this is to become more infectious and take over the spread and be dominant.
Moderna said it is likely their vaccine will not be as effective. In any case, there are a lot of daily cases, almost all Delta variant, reported that are breakthroughs of the fully vaccinated. This shows another reason we all need boosters, and this need will go on as virus evolution continues.
I would like to know what more we need to find out to see the doom and gloom all around.
And we know enough about Society and people, especially politicians, that too many can’t be trusted to change behavior until forced to. Less than a week ago everyone was thinking about traveling -by air especially – and celebrating Xmas, with parties, dining out, congregating, shopping, and so on. Now what does this add, or might add, to this mix?
Remember, it’s winter now, best time for viral spread. And Christmas.
You better not shout, you better not pout – just get into your best behavior, because the virus Grinch is also coming to town.
Please, no gloom & doom pronouncements until we know the science.
The first thing we need to do is get everyone vaxed. It is just dumb to give up the marathon with only a couple of miles to go. Case numbers are creeping up again in Burlington as last last few resisters continue to infect themselves and endanger everyone else. Quit claiming non-existent personal rights and phantom religious reasons and get on with it.
PS: it was great to see all the children lining up to get their shots. Any parents holding their kids back are committing child abuse.
Ontario just ( Nov 28) confirmed 2 cases of the Omicron Variant. This winter looks extremely bleak.
This weekend our mayor posted pictures of herself and other woman at the Holiday Vendor Market in Burlington on Facebook and Twitter with NO MASK and NO PHYSICAL DISTANCING. What message is that sending?
Dr. Tam tells everyone to purchase medical grade masks (level 3) instead of fabric ones and to be vigilant.
Council needs to lead by example, especially since they feel that virtual city/council meetings need to continue.