Over 2K Travellers Who Recently Entered Canada Have Tested Positive For COVID-19

Over 500 of those tested positive for COVID-19 virus variants.

2K Travellers Who Entered Canada Recently Tested Positive For COVID-19
Shawn Goldberg | Dreamstime
Managing Editor, Canada

Over 2,000 travellers who have entered Canada over the last few months have tested positive for COVID-19, according to new data from the Public Health Agency Of Canada (PHAC).

The data, which was shared with The Canadian Press, also reveals that more than a quarter of these travellers tested positive for a COVID-19 virus "variant of concern."

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All of these passengers arrived in Canada between February 22 (when the federal government implemented mandatory hotel stays for air travellers) and April 22, 2021.

Of the 557 international air passengers who tested positive for a COVID-19 virus variant, 518 cases tested positive for the B.1.1.7 variant first identified in the United Kingdom.

This comes just days after the feds announced that all incoming travellers must take their third COVID-19 test two days earlier, to help "identify positive cases sooner and allow earlier sequencing of variants."

CanadaNews
  • Helena Hanson

    Managing Editor

    Helena Hanson (she/her) is the Managing Editor of Canada for Narcity and MTL Blog, where she brings her expertise in dreamy, aspirational travel journalism to life. A first-class graduate of Cardiff University's School of Journalism, Helena has a passion for inspiring readers to discover the magic in their own backyards. Originally from the U.K., Helena has spent years uncovering hidden gems and must-see destinations across countries like Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, and more. Having lived in both Canada and Australia, she's become a seasoned expert in off-the-beaten-path adventures and bucket-list experiences that don't break the bank. Whether she's writing about things to do in Ottawa, Montreal, or her favourite spot—Disney World—Helena hopes to leave readers dreaming of their next adventure.

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