Canada’s third case of the new UK COVID-19 variant found in Ottawa

Ottawa Public Health says that they have informed the infected person, who had recently been in the UK. The person is now in self-isolation and contact tracing is underway.

Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Ontario's associate chief medical officer of health, used the opportunity to double down on the Ontario-wide lockdown. In a statement, she said "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."

The first two cases of the new variant were confirmed on Saturday, on a couple from Durham, Ontario who had close contact with someone who had recently travelled to the UK. British Columbia has since also reported a case of the new variant, which also is travel related.

Early studies show that the new variant is more contagious, however there is no evidence that is results in more severe symptoms. Health experts are also confident that the vaccines will work on the new strains.