#Coronanavirus; #NewVariantOfCoronavirus; #U.K.; #Canada
Canada/Canadian-Media: A new strain of the COVID-19 coronavirus that was first discovered earlier this month in Britain has been detected in British Columbia and Ontario, provincial health officials said Sunday.
Canada. Image credit: Internet wallpaper
Modeling and epidemiological studies by Canada's provincial health officials suggest that this new variant of the virus can spread more easily and faster than the original version of the coronavirus.
A total of four new cases of this new virus have been detected in Canada.
"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," Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Ontario's associate chief medical officer of health, said in a statement.
Some other countries including Denmark, Belgium, France, Australia, and the Netherlands have also reported the detection of this virus.
"All British Columbians have to remember [is] the virus spreads quickly but shows up slowly. By staying local, avoiding all non-essential travel, and using our layers of protection, we can reduce the potential for a surge in new cases and keep our communities and loved ones safe." B.C.'s Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix said in a joint statement on Sunday.