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South African COVID variant confirmed in Timmins

The health unit has received the results of one of two tests that screened positive for a variant, the second is expected to also be a confirmed South African variant
2020-05-11 PHU building
The Porcupine Health Unit. Maija Hoggett/TimminsToday

The South African COVID-19 variant has been confirmed in Timmins. 

In mid-February, two tests screened positive as potential variants of concern. After a test screens as a potential variant, it is sent to Public Health Ontario for further testing to confirm that it's a variant, and if so, what kind. 

Today, the Porcupine Health Unit said one of the tests has been identified as being the South African (B.1.351) variant. 

"The individual had an exposure to an outbreak in another region where variants of concern have been confirmed. Results for the second positive screen for a variant is still pending but it is expected that it will be laboratory-confirmed case caused by this same variant from South Africa as the individuals are connected," reads the news release.

Both of the cases are resolved and there is no concern for further spread, according to the health unit.

In early February, the province started screening all confirmed COVID-19 cases for variants of concern.

In Northern Ontario, North Bay has had the largest number of variant cases with two confirmed United Kingdom (B.1.1.7) variant cases, and 16 South African. 

"The number of cases linked to variants of concerns are increasing across the province. We are urging everyone to be diligent — regardless of the community you are in — we are seeing more variants across the north and we cannot be cautious enough. COVID-19 variants have been proven to be more contagious than the initial strain of COVID-19. That being said, the best way to prevent the transmission of any new variant of COVID-19 is to follow the public health measures that have proven effective," said Dr. Lianne Catton, PHU medical officer of health in a news release.

To date, there have been 342 lab-confirmed cases of the virus in the region. Of those, 305 are recovered and 25 people have died. There are 12 known active cases.

There are COVID-19 assessment centres in Timmins, Cochrane, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing, Smooth Rock Falls, Hearst, and Hornepayne. 

The Porcupine Health Unit COVID-19 information line can be reached at 705-267-1181 or 1-800-461-1818.