1st COVID-19 cases of variants detected in Brazil and South Africa found in Toronto
Toronto Public Health says there are at least 27 COVID-19 cases involving variants of concern in the city.
Ontario's first case of a highly transmissible COVID-19 variant that originated in Brazil was discovered in Toronto on Sunday, the day before the province was expected to unveil its plan to emerge from a month-long state of emergency.
The patient, who is now hospitalized, had recently returned from travelling in Brazil and tested positive for the P.1 COVID-19 mutation, Toronto Public Health said in a news release.
"TPH advises Torontonians to be extremely mindful of time spent outside your household with anyone who doesn't live with you," the agency said, noting that there are several concerning variants of the virus that are thought to be more transmissible than the original.
Another Toronto resident has tested positive for the B.1.351 mutation, known as the variant of concern first detected in South Africa.
That variant had already been detected in Peel Region, just west of Toronto.
"This case has no recent travel history and has had no known contact with anyone who is a returned traveller," the public health agency said.
Public health officials have said a third contagious variant — one that first emerged in the U.K. — is far more prevalent in the province than those from Brazil and South Africa.