What you need to know about the Omicron wave today

Your article continues below even though the advertisement has not loaded yet.

Omicron's rapid spread is bringing new restrictions and concerns. Here you can get the latest news.

A convenience store in Toronto sells masks.

The photo was taken by Galit Rodan.

The rapid spread of the COVID-19 variant Omicron across Canada brings more restrictions, curtailments of services and concerns about shortages daily.

Your article continues below even though the advertisement has not loaded yet.

As the Omicron outbreak happens, you can check here for the latest news.

8:11 a.m.

The new COVID-19 variant was reported by South Africa weeks before Omicron was in Nova Scotia wastewater.

In an email to the National Post, Graham Gagnon, professor and director of the Centre for Water Resource Studies, said that his team detected Omicron in Nova Scotia wastewater in mid-November.

The first case of Omicron in Nova Scotia was confirmed in December, a few weeks after it was reported in South Africa.

The National Post.

8 a.m.

A majority of Canadians support the latest restrictions put in place to deal with the explosion of the COVID-19 variant Omicron, but that majority is slim according to a new poll.

A Leger and the Association of Canadian Studies poll found that only 56 per cent of respondents agreed with government decisions.

31 per cent of people said that they did not believe that Omicron posed a serious health risk to most of those who were exposed, and that governments should leave things open and let Canadians live with the risk.

The Canadian Press.

Canadian Press has additional reporting.