OTTAWA, Dec 17 (Reuters) – The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is spreading rapidly in Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, and could overwhelm intensive care units early next month without prompt intervention, a panel of experts said on Thursday.
“This will likely be the hardest wave of the pandemic,” said Steini Brown, head of the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table.
“Omicron transmits very quickly … without prompt intervention, intensive care unit occupancy could reach unsustainable levels in early January,” said the modeling.
“Our hospitals will still face incredibly strong pressures. This will come at an already challenging time when health care workers are fatigued or burned out from the preceding waves,” Brown told a briefing.
“There is still some uncertainty, but there’s also an undeniable urgency. Waiting to take action means waiting till it is too late,” said Brown, urging people to wear high-quality masks and stick to well-ventilated indoor spaces.
Canada’s government implored residents on Wednesday to avoid international trips. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau side-stepped questions about banning foreign travelers, saying Omicron was already spreading rapidly in Canada.