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Friday
First case of South African variant strain detected in Alberta
The first case of a new, more contagious variant of COVID-19 originally detected in South Africa has been found in Alberta.
Alberta chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw tweeted Friday afternoon the person infected with the variant is a recent traveller who is now quarantining. The top doctor said there was no risk of spread to others.
“I know any new case is concerning, but we are actively monitoring for these variants and working to protect the public’s health,” Hinshaw tweeted.
Speaking earlier Friday, national chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam said no cases of the South Africa variant had been reported in Canada, suggesting the Alberta case is the country’s first.
A spokesperson with the Public Health Agency of Canada said in an email to the Canadian Press that the agency could not immediately comment on the Alberta case.
“Our experts have gone to enjoy a well-deserved weekend,” said the email from Maryse Durette. “We will look into this first thing Monday.”
The South Africa COVID-19 variant is distinct from the one originally found in the United Kingdom, but the two mutations share a key attribute: they are thought to be significantly more contagious than the currently predominant strain of the virus.
Fourteen cases of a more contagious COVD-19 variant that first surfaced in the U.K. have already been detected in Canada. Six of those were in Ontario, four were in Alberta, three were in British Columbia and one was in Quebec.
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