Ottawa epidemiologist keeping an eye on Omicron hospitalization numbers this week
Posted Dec 6, 2021 05:06:00 PM.
An epidemiologist at The Ottawa Hospital is going to be keeping a close eye on how many people end up in local hospitals due to the new Omicron COVID-19 variant in the coming weeks, and how severe their illnesses are.
Dr. Doug Manuel, who is also a member of the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table, says there's still a lot we don't know about the variant, but we know more than we did a week ago.
“First reports are that it's more mild and there haven't been as many people coming to hospital, and that [patients that have ended up in hospital have] been less severe,” he tells CityNews' The Rob Snow Show, Monday, December 6. “So that could be a big silver lining on this more concerning news that Omicron is more transmissible for sure.”
Dr. Manuel is also waiting to see whether or not Omicron will overtake Delta as the dominant strain of COVID-19 in the region.
“Our models are showing, once it takes hold, if it is as infectious as it is in South Africa, it's going to be a month or six weeks before it becomes completely dominant.”
In the meantime, the doctor is urging anyone who can get a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to do so. He still thinks eligibility will continue to expand.
“As transmissibility goes up, you want a higher level of immunity. And we want a really high level of immunity if we can,” says Dr. Manuel. “If three doses gives that level of immunity, we're going to see a lot of benefits from getting a third dose.”
Listen to Dr. Manuel's full conversation with Rob Snow:
