Ontario’s pandemic expert advisory panel says the province appears to have entered another wave of infections due to the BA.5 Omicron subvariant. The Ontario COVID-19 Scientific Advisory Panel reports that sewage signals, positive tests and hospitalizations from the virus are increasing and the virus is showing exponential growth in areas across the province. Dr Fahad Razak, the team’s scientific director, says the highly virulent BA.5 variant also appears to be more immunogenic, meaning people who have recently been infected can get the virus again soon after. Evidence so far does not indicate that BA.5 causes more serious illness, but Razak says the sheer number of people infected could still lead to serious effects and further strain on many people’s health systems. He says people should take precautions such as covering up in crowded areas and congregating outdoors when possible. He also stressed that people should get their third vaccinations if they are eligible. Sign up for it Fact sheet on the coronavirus to read the day’s top coronavirus news, features and explanations written by Globe reporters and editors.
