Canada expands aid programs to fight Omicron, says worse yet to come

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes part in a child care announcement in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada December 15, 2021. REUTERS/Blair Gable

OTTAWA (Reuters) -Canada will temporarily expand support programs to help people and businesses hit by the Omicron variant of COVID-19, Ottawa said on Wednesday, warning people that worse was to come as the virus spreads.

Theresa Tam, the country's chief public health officer, urged Canadians to take precautions, telling a briefing that "the situation can rapidly get out of hand anywhere."