Waterloo Region Public Health is warning against a new strain of COVID-19 that is spreading around Ontario and North America.
The region's top doctor Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang recommends the public stay up-to-date with their vaccinations and take precautions to keep themselves and others safe.
"New COVID-19 variants have been expected, and will continue to emerge," said Dr. Wang in a statement to CambridgeToday. "The latest one that is becoming more prevalent in Ontario, North America and in other parts of the world is named EG.5 and is a descendant of the Omicron variant. Evidence at this time does not suggest that EG.5 causes more severe illness, but we will continue to monitor."
According to Waterloo Region Public Health, COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for individuals who are not at high risk of severe COVID-19 illness and have received a booster dose after Sept. 1, 2022, will be available closer to Fall 2023.
"It’s recommended that individuals at high risk of severe COVID-19 illness consult with their healthcare provider regarding their next booster dose if it has been at least six months since their last dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection," added Dr. Wang.
The new sub-variant has been classified a variant of interest by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Like it's Omicron counterpart, it is highly infectious and can slip by immune systems more effectively.
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the new strain has been spreading across Canada since at least May 2023. Nearly 30 per cent of cases around the country will be caused by EG.5.
New COVID strain expected to hit Waterloo region with booster shots on the way - CambridgeToday
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