B.C. doctors seeing COVID-19 reinfection in patients who recently had Omicron

Two Vancouver doctors say they are seeing patients who are shocked to learn they have contracted COVID-19 for a second time, just months after recovering from infection with Omicron.

When patients who had an Omicron infection in December and January visit the Vancouver Infectious Disease Centre with cold and flu symptoms now, they’re often shocked to learn it’s possible they may have contracted COVID-19 a second time.

This comes as the rolling average of confirmed cases in B.C. is treding upward, and as health officials warn of an incoming sixth wave driven by a new variant of concern.

“We do believe the majority of new infections now are the BA.2 sub variant, the stealth variant, the more contagious variant. And that increases the likelihood of these repeat infections,” said centre director Dr. Brian Conway.

Family physician Dr. Anna Wolak says patients who believed their previous bout of Omicron protected with from future infections are surprised they can get the sub-variant only months later.

“Even if you had original Omicron in December, there is still the possibility there was enough variation in BA.2 to get you reinfected. And we are seeing that playing out around the world,” said Wolak.

Another reason for the rapid reinfections? Many people didn’t bother getting their booster shot after they recovered from COVID. Of those 12 and over who are eligible for a booster in B.C., 57.6 have received a third dose, according to the health ministry.

“The absence of a third shot in about half of the people is what’s fuelling the number of cases and the recurrence of cases. It can happen as soon as a few weeks after a particular individual had been infected and has recovered,” said Conway.