Omicron variant confirmed, outbreak declared at Toronto jail

Toronto Public Health (TPH) has confirmed one case of the Omicron variant and declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the Toronto East Detention Centre in Scarborough.

A detected case in a staff member at the provincially-run facility was confirmed to be the new “variant of concern,” after further testing was done on Thursday.

Four inmates at the jail subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday afternoon — the strain of virus in the additional cases is still unknown.

TPH says the staff member was also under investigation by the Durham Region Health Department — it is unclear if it is the same individual in Durham who became the GTA’s first confirmed case of the variant earlier in the day.

When asked if the cases are the same person, Durham Public Health would only say “Durham Region Health Department is currently monitoring other COVID-19 cases under investigation for the Omicron variant based on travel history. No further information is available at this time.”

The investigation at the Toronto East Detention Centre began on Nov. 26 after public health officials became aware of a possible infection. The jail started redirecting new admissions on Nov. 29 out of an abundance of caution.

TPH says it continues to work with the Ministry of the Solicitor General and the detention centre to ensure appropriate measures are taken to minimize the risk to staff and inmates.

There are at least two cases of Omicron in the GTA, health officials in Halton confirmed the variant in an individual who had close contact with someone that recently travelled from Nigeria. The health unit is investigating two other suspected cases.

2/3: The original case involved a staff member at the facility. An additional 4 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 at the facility this afternoon. The strain of COVID for these individuals is unknown at this time.

— Toronto Public Health (@TOPublicHealth) December 2, 2021