Federal health officials continue tracking a new-sub variant of the Omicron variant. Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says the new BA-1 variant says it was first detected last November, and says while it could potentially mean an increase in the spread of COVID, there are no indications of additional hospitalizations or severe outcomes.
Meantime, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization has issued now guidelines for children and youth COVID vaccines. Dr. Tam says they strongly recommend kids age 5 to 11 get a primary 2-dose course of immunizations, and a 3rd dose for those in the 12 to 17 age group.