There have been 202 variants of concern (VOC) cases (confirmed or screened positive) to date in Durham Region, according to Durham Health.
“VOCs are circulating locally and Health Department staff continue to monitor the situation closely to mitigate the risks of greater community transmission,” said Durham Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Kyle in an issued statement.
“Individuals who test positive for Covid-19 will be notified by Health Department staff if they screen positive for a mutation or if their specimen is confirmed as a VOC. It is very important that residents contacted by the Health Department follow all recommendations to protect family members, co-workers and other contacts from getting ill,” said Durham Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Kyle.
The public health community across the globe has been monitoring the emergence of VOCs in the Covid-19 virus since late last year. Variants are viruses that have changed or mutated, which is common in coronaviruses. VOCs can be more transmissible, may result in more severe illness or can impact vaccine effectiveness. The VOCs currently identified globally and in Ontario include: B.1.1.7 (first identified in the UK), B1.351 or 501Y.V2 (first identified in South Africa) and P.1 (first identified in Brazil).
The latest enhancements on the Covid-19 Data Tracker include information about variants of concern (VOC), said Dr. Kyle.
A new section has been added to the Case Status tab on the Durham Region Covid-19 Data Tracker which shows the number of cases confirmed for VOCs and screened positive for VOCs. VOC case information is also available by municipality. Residents and community partners who are interested in reviewing the provincial status of VOCs may refer to Public Health Ontario’s Daily Epidemiologic Summary report.
“Please continue to follow public health measures, stay at home as much as possible, avoid social gatherings and, where possible, work remotely. Any non-essential travel should be avoided, even between public health measure zones, as it will greatly increase the potential for spikes in community spread and undo all the progress we have made,” Dr Kyle added.