COVID-19 – TBDHU Reports Case of UK Variant N501Y in District

1543
COVID-19 Update

Thunder Bay – COVID-19 Update – The Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) has received a report that an individual with COVID-19 in the TBDHU catchment area has screened positive for the N501Y mutation in the spike (S) gene of the COVID-19 virus.

This mutation is associated with the variants of concern (VOC).

Additional sequencing will be done to confirm this result and to determine the specific variant type. Currently the B.1.1.7 variant, also known as the UK variant, is the most common variant detected in Ontario.

“This is the first indication that we have a variant in our area. This is unfortunate but not surprising, as the variants are increasing in numbers across Ontario.” said Dr. Janet DeMille, Medical Officer of Health, “Variants of concern of the COVID-19 virus are known to spread more easily and quickly. This reinforces the importance of prevention measures. Stay at home as much as possible, interact only with those in your household, immediately isolate if you get symptoms and get tested. When you are outside your home, abide by all the measures to protect yourself and to protect others.”

With the emergence of VOC’s in Ontario, enhanced case and contact management has been put in place to manage cases and limit ongoing spread. Screening of positive samples for VOCs is ongoing.

As with all confirmed cases, TBDHU was in contact with the individual, who resides in Thunder Bay and surrounding areas to review their initial positive COVID-19 test result and investigate possible exposure settings as well as any close contacts.

Previous articleInstagram Rules the World For Artists and Business
Next articleOntario Moving Northwestern Health Unit to Red-Control Level as COVID-19 Cases Climb
NetNewsLedger
NetNewsledger.com or NNL offers news, information, opinions and positive ideas for Thunder Bay, Ontario, Northwestern Ontario and the world. NNL covers a large region of Ontario, but we are also widely read around the country and the world. To reach us by email: newsroom@netnewsledger.com. Reach the Newsroom: (807) 355-1862