N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Omicron milder than Delta, but it's not mild, officials warn
CBC
The province's chief medical officer of health is warning New Brunswickers that even a mild case of COVID-19 is a serious illness.
Dr. Jennifer Russell outlined the typical symptoms at a briefing this week.
"When we are talking about mild, we're talking about the fact that you most likely will not need hospitalization, but that doesn't mean that your symptoms will be completely benign," she said.
"Symptoms can range from fever, aches and pains, sore throat and coughing. But they can be more severe, including fatigue and chills, shortness of breath, nausea and dehydration."
The province's chief epidemiologist, Mathieu Chalifoux said the Omicron variant is milder than the Delta variant, but "it is by no means mild."
Hospital admissions with Omicron are about 10 per 1,000 cases, compared to about 60 per 1,000 with Delta, he said.
"While better, this is still enough to put our health system at risk due to the sheer volume of cases" expected with Omicron because it's so highly transmissible.
New Brunswick could see a peak of 5,500 new COVID-19 cases per day and 220 active hospitalizations by late January if current trends hold, Chalifoux told the briefing.
But that could be cut by about one-third if people reduced their contacts either by seeing fewer people, distancing appropriately, or wearing well-fitting masks inside, he said.
If people do contract COVID, Russell advises they rest and stay well-hydrated.
Non-prescription medications, such as Tylenol and ibuprofen, can help relieve pain and fever, while a humidifier or steam from a shower can help ease a cough or sore throat, she said.
If people are caring for someone else with COVID-19 at home, Russell recommended several steps they can take to reduce the risk of transmission.
"I've heard the success stories of where somebody did successfully isolate within the home, and it really was around staying in one room and that person wouldn't leave that room for any reason.
"So doing your best to separate from the infected person is the most important thing."
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