Two confirmed cases of the Covid-19 variant first identified in the UK, have been found in Durham, according to Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Ontario’s Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health.
The cases are a couple from Durham with no known travel history, exposure or high-risk contacts. Both individuals have been informed and are now in self-isolation as per public health protocols, said statement from her.
It was not revealed where in Durham the cases were, nor how they contracted the virus.
This variant has now been detected in multiple countries beyond the UK, including Denmark, Belgium, Australia and the Netherlands. With inbound international travel, it is not unexpected to have identified the new variant in Ontario. Ontario is the first province to identify this variant thanks to the proactive work of the Public Health Ontario Laboratory.
“This further reinforces the need for Ontarians to stay home as much as possible and continue to follow all public health advice, including the provincewide shutdown measures beginning today,” said Dr. Yaffe. “Durham Region Health Department has conducted case and contact investigation and Ontario is working in collaboration with our federal counterparts at the Public Health Agency of Canada.”
Modelling and epidemiological studies suggest that the Covid-19 variant first identified in the UK can spread easier and faster, but there is no evidence that it is more likely to cause severe illness. There is no evidence to suggest that the Health Canada-approved vaccines will be any less effective against the new variant.
Recognizing the potential increased risk that inbound international travelers may pose with this new variant, the province continues to call on the federal government to urgently partner with Ontario to implement testing at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Regardless of whether federal support is forthcoming, the Ontario government is prepared to act on its own to implement an airport testing program.
Effective December 26 at 12:01 a.m. Ontario has entered a provincewide shutdown. These time-limited measures will help slow the transmission of COVID-19, limit mobility, preserve health system capacity, and save lives.
The Ministry of Health continues to be in constant contact with the Public Health Agency of Canada and other jurisdictions to monitor the developing situation and ensure coordinated, effective and shared efforts to protect and safeguard the public.
Quick Facts
- Canada has posted a travel ban on all flights arriving from the UK until January 6, 2021.
- Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health strongly advises that travel out of the province should be limited to essential purposes only.
- Ontario has imposed a provincewide shutdown which started December 26, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. to stop the spread of Covid-19.
- Ontario has launched a new government web page detailing the province’s three-phase immunization program, information on Covid-19 vaccines, safety measures and approval standards, as well as regular updates on the number of Ontarians vaccinated.
- To help everyone stay safe, download the Covid Alert app. It is free to use and is available from the Apple and Google Play app stores. This app lets users know if they may have been exposed to the others who are infected with the virus.