Omicron subvariant BA.2 detected in Quebec
Officials in Quebec say they've detected several cases of the BA.2 subvariant of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the province.
Public health says it is wary of the strain because it is harder to detect as it doesn't have many spike mutations and is seemingly more transmissible, allowing it to quickly pass through the community.
"We are closely following the evolution of this new variant," the province's health ministry said.
According to Quebec's public health institute (INSPQ), as of Friday, five cases of BA.2 have been observed in the province.
All of the cases were international travellers who were tested upon arrival in Montreal and whose samples were put through genetic sequencing.
Officials explain 10 per cent of samples in Quebec are sent for this type of more intense testing.
"At this time, this variant has not been shown to have an advantage over BA.1 (also Omicron) in terms of transmissibility, immune evasion or virulence," explains Aurèle Iberto-Mazzali, a spokesperson with the INSPQ. "It is a variant of concern as of December 2021."
Across Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) says it has detected more than 100 cases of the subvariant as of Friday, mainly from travellers coming from abroad.
"Vaccination, in combination with public health and individual measures, is key to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and its variants," PHAC points out.
To date, subvariant BA.2, which was first found in November 2021, has been detected in at least 40 countries around the world.
LISTEN ON CJAD 800 RADIO: What do we know about this new COVID-19 variant? Dr. Matthew Oughton, physician in the division of infectious diseases at the Jewish General Hospital, explains
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Mariupol fighters in Russian hands; both sides claim wins
Hundreds of Ukrainian fighters, including wounded men carried out on stretchers, left the vast steel plant in Mariupol where they mounted a dogged last stand and turned themselves over to Russian hands, signalling the beginning of the end of a siege that became a symbol of Ukraine's resistance to Moscow's invasion.
Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner carjacked at gunpoint outside Toronto movie theatre
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner was the victim of an armed carjacking outside a movie theatre in Etobicoke on Monday night, the club confirmed on Tuesday.
Warrant issued for suspect in crash that killed Calgary mother of 5
Calgary police said in a statement issued Monday they have identified a suspect wanted in an incident that resulted in the death of a Calgary mother of five.
Prince Charles and Camilla kick off three-day Canadian tour, PM says reconciliation will be part of visit
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says reconciliation will form part of the discussions Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, engage in during their visit to Canada. Trudeau is in Newfoundland and Labrador today where he will join Gov. Gen. Mary Simon in welcoming the royal couple to Canada for a three-day visit.
Trudeau says inviting Iran to Vancouver soccer friendly is not 'a very good idea'
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says a soccer friendly between Canada and Iran next month in Vancouver is ill-advised. The merits of hosting Iran were raised by a reporter, citing families who had lost loved ones on Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752.
Queen makes surprise appearance to mark new London subway line
Queen Elizabeth II made a surprise visit Tuesday to a train station in central London to see a newly completed subway line named in her honour. The 96-year-old monarch, who has reduced most of her public engagements, appeared Tuesday at Paddington Station.
NY teen found dead after 13 years; SC sex offender charged
The body of 17-year-old Brittanee Drexel, who disappeared while visiting South Carolina's Myrtle Beach on spring break 13 years ago, has been found and a sex offender has been charged with murder, kidnapping and rape, authorities said Monday.
Top 6 moments from the 2022 Ontario election debate
Ontario’s four main party leaders were relatively civil as they sparred at Monday night’s televised election debate in Toronto.
Confusion over RCMP leadership roles marked early investigation of N.S. mass shooting
When a man disguised as a Mountie started killing people in northern Nova Scotia two years ago, there was considerable confusion over who was in charge of the RCMP operation, newly released documents show.
Toronto
-
Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner carjacked at gunpoint outside Toronto movie theatre
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner was the victim of an armed carjacking outside a movie theatre in Etobicoke on Monday night, the club confirmed on Tuesday.
-
Ontario reports 11 new COVID-19 deaths as hospitalization, ICU admissions tick up
Ontario health officials are reporting 11 new COVID-19 deaths as hospitalization and intensive care unit admissions increased day-over-day.
-
Top 6 moments from the 2022 Ontario election debate
Ontario’s four main party leaders were relatively civil as they sparred at Monday night’s televised election debate in Toronto.
Atlantic
-
Confusion over RCMP leadership roles marked early investigation of N.S. mass shooting
When a man disguised as a Mountie started killing people in northern Nova Scotia two years ago, there was considerable confusion over who was in charge of the RCMP operation, newly released documents show.
-
Woman dies from injuries after Halifax stabbing; police investigating homicide
A woman who was stabbed overnight in the Halifax area has died from her injuries.
-
N.S. gas prices jump by 9.5 cents after interrupter clause invoked
It’s another record-breaking day for gas prices in Nova Scotia after they jumped by 9.5 cents overnight -- just four days after they had reached $2 per litre in some parts of the province.
London
-
Second person charged after shots fire in east London, Ont. neighbourhood
A second person has been charged after shots were fired in an east London, Ont. neighbourhood last Wednesday, according to police.
-
Mitch Marner had his Range Rover stolen at gunpoint in Etobicoke
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner was the victim of an armed carjacking outside a movie theatre in Etobicoke.
-
Impaired driving charges not just for passenger vehicles
A 28-year-old is facing charges after North Perth OPP pulled over a farm tractor.
Northern Ontario
-
Highway 11 closed in South River
Traffic has come to a stand still on Highway 11 south of North Bay on Tuesday morning after a transport rolled over on its side, police say.
-
Highway 69 crash caused by driver falling asleep, charges laid
A 24-year-old driver has been charged after falling asleep at the wheel and crashing into guardrails on Highway 69 in the French River area, police say.
-
Kenora, Ont., residents told to watch for possible flooding amid rising water levels
Residents in Kenora, Ont., were told to watch for the possibility of more flooding on Monday as water levels were projected to rise in the northwestern Ontario city that issued an evacuation order for certain areas last week.
Calgary
-
Fire breaks out at home in Thorncliffe
Emergency crews extinguished a house fire on Simons Crescent N.W. Tuesday morning and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the blaze.
-
Warrant issued for suspect in crash that killed Calgary mother of 5
Calgary police said in a statement issued Monday they have identified a suspect wanted in an incident that resulted in the death of a Calgary mother of five.
-
Kenney visits Washington, pushing stronger energy ties between Alberta and U.S.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney begins his two-day blitz in Washington today, hoping to convince U.S. lawmakers his province is best positioned to strengthen North American energy security.
Kitchener
-
'Just the good dreams are left': Local Indigenous group builds Reconciliation Dreamcatcher
A local Indigenous group has created a large dreamcatcher, as a way to move towards reconciliation.
-
Kitchener man arrested following break-in in Baden
A 44-year-old Kitchener man was arrested and charged with break and enter and assault following a break-in at a commercial property in Baden.
-
Hate motivated graffiti under investigation in Cambridge
Waterloo Regional Police are investigating graffiti was drawn on the side of a building in the area of Gail Street and Avenue Road in Cambridge.
Vancouver
-
'It's challenging': Surrey home destroyed in early morning fire
A Surrey home was destroyed after an early morning fire on 100 Avenue near 174A Street.
-
Should transit be free in B.C. while gas prices soar? Green leader calls for relief
The BC Greens are calling on the provincial NDP to make public transit free for the next four months as gas prices hit an all-time high and the costs of living continue to increase.
-
'Devastating': Vancouver dad's tweet about son's empty birthday party strikes nerve
A Vancouver dad whose son is on the autism spectrum took to social media to share how painful it was to see only one classmate at his birthday party. Now, he's receiving a flood of support that he hopes marks the start of an important conversation.
Edmonton
-
WEATHER
WEATHER | Josh Classen's forecast: Cooler days with occasional showers
Teen temperatures are here for a couple days (after back-to-back 20s in Edmonton).
-
Average price of gas in Canada tops $2 a litre for first time
Gasoline prices are showing no signs of letting up as the average price in Canada tops $2 a litre for the first time. Natural Resources Canada says the average price across the country for regular gasoline hit $2.06 per litre on Monday for an all-time high.
-
Alta. man pleads guilty to 1st-degree murder in deaths of woman, toddler
The Alberta man accused of first-degree murder in the deaths of a 24-year-old woman and her 16-month-old child is due in court on Monday.
Windsor
-
Pelee Island ferry employees vote in favour of strike action
Pelee Island ferry operators have a strong message for their employer.
-
Windsor-Essex project looks at potential for wind farms to power greenhouse sector
A new joint venture investigates using existing wind farms to power and heat greenhouses in southwestern Ontario.
-
Police seek help finding stolen tractor in Chatham-Kent
Chatham-Kent police are asking for the public’s help after a tractor theft.
Regina
-
Sask. doctor says he lost sleep over decision to take Ontario job
Saskatoon intensive care physician Dr. Hassan Masri says he has taken a leadership role in Ontario.
-
#JustCurious Why do petition presentations in government begin with a 'prayer'
Petitions are common. Perhaps you’ve signed a few along the way. They’re presented on a nearly daily basis during a sitting of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly by Members.
-
Pressure mounts as CFL enters second day of work stoppage
The wind blowing against the uprights was the only action at Griffths Field in Saskatoon Monday morning as the league enters day two of the work stoppage.
Ottawa
-
Prince Charles and Camilla kick off three-day Canadian tour, PM says reconciliation will be part of visit
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says reconciliation will form part of the discussions Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, engage in during their visit to Canada. Trudeau is in Newfoundland and Labrador today where he will join Gov. Gen. Mary Simon in welcoming the royal couple to Canada for a three-day visit.
-
NEW THIS MORNING
NEW THIS MORNING | Hog's Back Swing Bridge closing for two days of maintenance
The National Capital Commission is closing the Hog’s Back Swing Bridge for two days starting tonight to conduct 'further maintenance on the bridge closing system.'
-
Where to watch today's Ontario election announcements
All four leaders of Ontario’s major political parties squared off in the first and only televised debate Monday night. Now, they're back on the campaign trail, making stops across the province to secure votes ahead of the June 2 election.
Saskatoon
-
Rising fuel costs a challenge in search for missing Sask. boy
The rising cost of fuel is complicating the nearly month-long search for a missing Saskatchewan boy continues.
-
Sask. doctor says he lost sleep over decision to take Ontario job
Saskatoon intensive care physician Dr. Hassan Masri says he has taken a leadership role in Ontario.
-
Where most police street checks happen in Saskatoon
Saskatoon Police Service says all of the 189 contact interviews conducted by its officers last year complied with policy.