Omicron triples the number of COVID-19 infections in Canada, studies show

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Toronto, May 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —Almost 30% (9 million) of Canadian adults were infected during the Omicron variant wave in early 2022, but were infected by the previous four waves. Was only 10%. According to a new study led by researchers in Toronto.

Despite the high number of infections, the study also found that all doses of the vaccine and previous infections enhanced the immune response. Canadian adults with three vaccinations and past infections with COVID-19 showed the highest protection.

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Survey results published in a letter to the editor of New England Journal of MedicineBridging the gap in understanding the extent of the COVID-19 epidemic in the 5th wave, and the immunity of Canadians to the virus by vaccination or natural infection. The state reduced the COVID-19 molecular diagnostic test in December 2021 to inform policy makers and the general public of a pandemic response, leaving reliable data for measuring community risk.

“Even among vaccinated people, the incidence of Omicron variants that has risen worldwide since December 2021 is not well understood. This study was conducted during the first Omicron wave in Canadian adults. Quantify the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 and the contribution of previous infections and vaccinations to active immunization by age. -C) Research and Director, Global Health Research Center, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto. He is also a professor of epidemiology at the Daralana School of Public Health (DLSPH) at the University of Toronto.

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This study analyzed more than 5,000 blood samples representing Canadian adults (members of the Angus Reed Forum, a public polling cohort) from January 15th to March 15th, 2022. From these results, researchers found that an estimated 9 million of the 29.7 million Canadians were newly infected during the Omicron wave in adults. Of these infections, 1 million is one of the country’s 2.3 million unvaccinated adult population, accounting for 40 percent of all unvaccinated adults.

The Ab-C study is a collaborative study between Unity Health Toronto, DLSPH, Angus Reed Institute, and Sinai Health’s Runenfeld-Tanenbaum Institute. The Government of Canada is funding through the COVID-19 Immune Task Force (CITF). Since May 2020, Ab-C has been tracking the Canadian pandemic with regular polls on living experiences and blood sample collection, and will continue as long as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve.

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“Canada generally keeps levels of natural transmission low, in contrast to many parts of the United States and the United Kingdom. Probably less than 10 percent of the pre-Omicron adult population. Therefore, Canada relies on vaccinations. Must – 3 doses, especially for the elderly. However, the percentage of adults vaccinated with the third dose is still lower than ideal, “said the Global Health Research Center and the Biology of the University of Toronto. Dr. Patrick Brown, the lead author of the statistician, added.

“In a pediatric study, taking into account the fact that pediatric infection rates are equal to or greater than adult infection rates, and that new subvariants of Omicron continue to infect Canadians in the ongoing sixth wave. Including, there are now millions of people. More infections will be added to the total Ab-C study, “said Catherine Hankins, co-chair of the COVID-19 Immune Task Force. “In short, a significant portion of Canada’s population has hybrid immunity-defined as a combination of past COVID-19 infections and one to three COVID-19 vaccines.”

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From March to June 2022, the Ab-C study investigated approximately 1,300 adults uninfected from the first Omicron variant (called BA.1 / 1.1) and the latest Omicron variant (BA). I started to check if I was infected with (called .2). ..

“We would like to express our gratitude to the thousands of Canadians from all regions who shared their blood samples and took the time to complete the relevant studies. Participation has made this research possible, “said Dr. Angus Reed, Chairman of the Angus Reed Institute.

About St. Michael’s Hospital

St. Michael’s Hospital provides compassionate care to everyone who enters the door. The hospital also provides excellent medical education to future medical professionals in more than 27 disciplines. Critical care and trauma, heart disease, neurosurgery, diabetes, cancer treatment, homeless treatment and global health are one of the recognized disciplines of the hospital. Through the Keenan Research Center and Li Ka-shing International Medical Education Center, which make up the Li Ka-shing Knowledge Institute, research and education at St. Michael’s Hospital are recognized and have an impact around the world. Founded in 1892, the hospital is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto.

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About Unity Health Toronto

Consisting of Providence Healthcare, St. Joseph Health Center, and St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto works to promote the health of everyone inside and outside the urban community. Our health network serves patients, residents and clients with world-class investments in primary, secondary community care, tertiary and quaternary care services, rehabilitation, palliative care, and long-term care. Provide. Research and education. For more information, please visit www.unityhealth.to.

About Daralana Public Health School

The Dalla Lana School of Public Health is an undergraduate school at the University of Toronto and is Canada’s largest public health school. Our community is made up of internationally recognized teachers, students, practitioners, policy makers and citizens. We create new knowledge. Educate change makers. We will advance the practice and guide the way to better and more equitable results in the health and health system of the population. Join us at the forefront of health change!

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About Angus Reed Institute

The Angus Reid Institute (ARI) was founded by pollster and sociologist Dr. Angus Reid to better understand and encourage the issues and trends that affect Canada’s public policy. Since 2014, the Institute has conducted more than 500 studies on a vast number of topics ranging from foreign policy to poverty reduction. In the health sector, laboratory research has helped shape discussions on pharmacocare, investigated latency for selective procedures, and provided up-to-date information on the gap between primary care and mental health services. Strictly independent, ARI is funded by partnerships between the Reeds and other nonprofits. ARI has the status of a registered charity in Canada.

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About COVID-19 Immunity Task Force

The Government of Canada established the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF) in late April 2020 to help federal, state, and territory decision makers protect Canadians and minimize the impact of COVID-19. Suppress. To date, CITF has supported more than 100 studies across Canada that have generated significant insights into the levels, trends, properties, and duration of immunity resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination. rice field. The CITF is overseen by a volunteer leadership group that includes key scientists and policy makers across Canada. The Task Force and its Secretariat work closely with a variety of partners, including governments, public health agencies, institutions, health agencies, research teams, other task forces, involved communities and stakeholders.

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About Sinai Health

Sinai Health consists of Mount Sinai Hospital, Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute and its system partner, Circle of Care. Focusing on the comprehensive needs of people, we provide excellent care in hospitals, communities and homes. Sinai Health discovers and translates scientific advances, pushes the boundaries of health solutions and educates future clinical and scientific leaders. Specialized clinical disciplines include rehabilitation and complex continuous treatment, surgery and oncology, emergency and critical care, and women’s and infant health. Its Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Institute is ranked in the top 10 biomedical research institutes in the world. Sinai Health is a fully affiliated company of the University of Toronto. www.sinaihealth.ca

Media contacts:

Jennifer Stranges, UnityHealth Toronto; jennifer.stranges@unityhealth.to
Angus Reid Institute, Dr. Angus Reid; angus@angusreid.org
Rebecca Barnes, COVID-19 Immunity Task Force; media@covid19immunitytaskforce.ca
Heidi Singer, University of Toronto School of Public Health; Heidi.Singer@utoronto.ca

The views contained in this document do not necessarily represent the views of the Public Health Agency of Canada.