Ontario Just Confirmed Its First Cases Of The COVID-19 UK Variant
Today, the province's Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health Barbara Yaffe confirmed that the first two cases of the new COVID-19 UK Variant have been found in Ontario.
The two confirmed cases belong to a couple in Durham, says the province, who are now self-isolating.
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Today, Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Ontario's Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health, announced the first two confirmed cases in Ontario of the COVID-19 variant first identified in the UK.
Premier of Ontario's Office
"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," says Yaffe.
While studies suggest the new UK variant can spread faster and easier, there is no evidence that it causes a more severe type of illness, says the release.
Beginning today, the province goes into a shutdown that will last 14 days in northern Ontario and 28 days in southern and eastern Ontario.
During this time, all non-essential businesses will be mandated to close.
The province, citing international travel as a factor in spreading the new variant, is calling on the federal government to implement testing in airports.
Ford's government has repeatedly said they will implement testing independently if not aided by Trudeau's government.
The Ministry of Health says they are "monitoring the developing situation and [they will ensure] a coordinated, effective and shared [effort] to protect and safeguard the public."