Two more cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant have been confirmed in Ontario – both in the GTA – along with two other suspected cases.

Word from Halton Public Health that one individual suspected of contracting the Omicron variant recently travelled to Nigeria. The other suspected case and one of the confirmed cases are close contacts of that person.

And from Durham Region Health Department, as we first reported Thursday afternoon, one person has been diagnosed with an Omicron case of COVID-19.

Ontario now has six confirmed Omicron cases.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kieran Moore says additional cases will likely be identified in the near future.

“There continues to be evolving information on the variant’s transmissibility, its severity, and its impact on the vaccine effectiveness,” Dr. Moore explained, “And we continue to closely monitor the situation globally and in Ontario. We are fully prepared to adjust our testing, our case and contact management, our vaccinations, our hospital capacity and public health measures as needed to respond to any new threat.”

Dr. Moore made the comments after announcing widened eligibility for the COVID-19 third shot booster, which as of December 13th will be available for people 50 and over.

Dr. Moore is urging residents, when they become eligible, to book booster appointments as soon as possible, saying vaccination is the best defence against a “significant” surge in COVID-19 cases and the Omicron variant.