COVID-19: Demand for rapid antigen test soars, while questions rise over Omicron and vaccines

Global News in Canada shows that as the COVID-19 Omicron variant tightens its grip on Canada, more people are trying to get their hands on rapid antigen COVID-19 tests. 

As Mike Le Couteur explains, uneven distribution and confusing guidelines are hampering the hunt for the season's must-have item.

And as infections rise, so are the questions over this variant. Does it matter which brand of booster you get? 

Will a vaccine be produced to specifically fight this variant? What are the symptoms of catching Omicron? Is it more transmissible in the air or by touching surfaces? Jeff Semple gets the answers from infectious diseases physician Dr. Anna Banerji.

Challenges with COVID-19 testing access affects accuracy of case counts

CBC News: The National in Canada on Youtube shows that certainly some Canadians are struggling to book PCR tests or find rapid antigen tests and experts say the testing challenges could be affecting the accuracy of daily COVID-19 case counts.

Canada: Quebec shuts down schools, bars, gyms as COVID-19 cases soar

CBC News on Youtube shows that the Quebec government implemented a slew of new restrictions Monday amid rising cases of COVID-19.  An epidemiologist consulting for the  World Health Organization says more restrictions could be on the way.

Canadian provinces ramp up restrictions in push to control Omicron

Global News shows the virus news.

Canada's provincial and federal governments are reimposing multiple restrictions in a bid to blunt the steep rise of Omicron. Abigail Bimman looks at the new rules in Ontario and Nova Scotia, and what Ottawa is about to mandate once again for people making quick dashes across the border.

As British Columbia also faces a steep rise in COVID-19 cases spurred by Omicron, the province is also reintroducing a slew of restrictions to slow the spread. Keith Baldrey reports on the changes and how they will affect New Year's celebrations.

Canadians face delays for PCR and rapid COVID-19 tests

CBC News: The National in Canada shows the fascinating story. Canadians are facing lengthy delays for both PCR and rapid tests for COVID-19 as Omicron cases spike across the country. And while some provinces are distributing free take-home tests, there aren’t enough to go around.

Kingston, Ont., sees highest rate of COVID-19 cases in Canada

CBC News in Canada shows that the Kingston, Ont., region has the highest rate of COVID-19 cases in Canada. Mayor Bryan Paterson says it's an 'unprecedented situation' for the city as it deals with a major Omicron outbreak.

The dangerous virus cases certainly continue to reach new heights in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The city continues to have the highest rate of COVID-19 in the country per 100,000 cases.

Drive-through vaccine clinics exist to help with the situation.

Soaring virus numbers are certainly in Kingston.

The COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario (province of Canada) is an ongoing viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Canada was announced on January 25, 2020, involving a traveller who had recently returned to Toronto from travel in China, including area of Wuhan. Ontario has had the largest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases among Canada's provinces and territories, but due to having the largest big population, only ranks really fourth adjusted per capita.

Travellers to Canada will need a molecular test

A so-called Molecular Test is a diagnostic test that detects genetic material from the virus. Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) is one type of molecular diagnostic test.

There are different types of COVID-19 testing devices. There are different ways that samples can be collected to test for virus COVID-19. They can be collected by a health care professional or, in some instances, by the patient (self-collection), through things such as:

- nose swab

- throat swab

- oral (fluid) swab

- saliva sample

- blood draw

Keep in mind, an asymptomatic case is an individual who has a laboratory confirmed positive test and who has no symptoms during the complete course of infection.