Alberta Has Just Recorded Its First COVID-19 Variant Case That Has No 'Link To Travel'

On Monday, January 25, Dr. Deena Hinshaw delivered a public health update in which she discussed the current situation regarding Alberta's COVID-19 variant cases. 

"The emergence of more infections variants of concern is an issue that requires close attention," said the province's top doctor. 

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25 Cases of the U.K. variant in Alberta

In addition to detecting 25 cases of the U.K. variant, Alberta has now detected five cases of the COVID-19 variant that was first identified in South Africa, according to the province.

"Unfortunately, over the weekend, as you heard, we identified our first case of the B-1-1-7 [U.K.] variant that has no currently known link to travel," said Hinshaw.

"This was the only non-travel variant case identified in the over 1,000 samples screened last week by the lab."

She said that they are working to identify any contacts of this individual who may have had a travel exposure. 

"This is a potentially concerning development," she continued. Saying that it shows the importance of the work that the labs are doing to screen positive cases for genetic mutations. 

The B-1-1-7 variant was first discovered in the U.K.