The Public Health Agency of Canada says research into a new variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 is ongoing.
The mutant strain was first identified in the United Kingdom but has since been detected in several other countries and the first Canadian case has now been recorded in Ontario.
Agency officials say that although early data suggests the new variant may be more transmissible, it’s not necessarily more deadly or more resistant to vaccines.
Newfoundland and Labrador’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, confirmed last week that no known cases of the variant had been diagnosed in the province.
Fitzgerald admits there is a chance it could be here and the testing currently used to identify COVID-19 should also be able to detect the new strain.
Newfoundland and Labrador’s Department of Health COVID-19 updates return later today.
