Public Health reports 14 cases linked to Omicron variant, urges potentially exposed to get tested
Global News
Health officials said that two individuals, who did not know at the time that they were COVID-19 positive, visited a gym in the West Island and the community centre in LaSalle.
Montreal Public Health authorities have confirmed 14 cases of the COVID-19 omicron variant have been detected in the city.
Of the 14 infections, five may be linked to people who travelled outside the country, while it is believed the other nine were infected in Canada, suggesting “limited local transmission.”
Spokesperson Jean-Nicholas Aubé said two individuals, who did not know at the time that they were COVID-19 positive, visited a gym in the West Island and community centre in LaSalle.
Therefore, anyone who was at Buzzfit Kirkland, located at 3240 Jean-Yves Duclos St. in Kirkland between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Dec. 1, 5 or 6, is asked to get tested even if they aren’t exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. Similarly, anyone who was the Centre culturel et communautaire Henri-Lemieux, at 7644 Édouard St. on Dec. 4 between noon and 2 p.m. should get tested.
Affected individuals are asked to get tested at the mobile screening unit in the parking lot of the Jewish General Hospital at the intersection of Bourret Avenue and Légaré Street or the CLSC Park extension at 7085 Hutchison Street. According to Aubé, those are the only two facilities equipped to measure and identify the Omicron variant.
If people aren’t able to make their way to either of the two screening clinics, they can go to a local testing centre and mention that they may have been exposed to the Omicron variant.
“But be sure to let them know that you’re going there because of this specific action that we’re doing today,” Aubé said, adding people can book an appointment by logging on to the Quebec government website and mentioning Montreal Public Health.
Montreal Public Health said last week it would adopt a preventative approach to COVID-19 infections involving the Omicron variant, including aggressive protocols for isolating cases and tracing contacts.
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