The first case of COVID-19 variant has been confirmed in Chatham-Kent.
CK Public Health officials say a Variant of Concern (VOC) is a COVID-19 viral strain that has mutated and become more easily passed from person to person.
A COVID-19 positive male in his 50’s tested positive for a gene mutation through routine testing, public health officials say.
The individual recently arrived in Canada and remains in Federal quarantine.
CK Public Health is awaiting test results to identify the strain of this variant.
“It is currently estimated that variants of concern are now approximately 5-10% of cases in Ontario and we expect to receive more of these cases,” Dr. David Colby, Medical Officer of Health for Chatham-Kent, said in a press release.
“The good news is that public health measures needed to control these new variants are no different.”
CK Public Health officials say it takes a strong effort from the entire community to control COVID-19 and protect the most vulnerable residents.
Public health officials added this includes: travel only for essential purposes, avoid groups of people, physically distance (2 metres) from others, wear a mask, wash your hands (or use 70% alcohol hand sanitizer) frequently, stay home and get tested if you are unwell.
To learn more about staying safe, visit www.ckpublichealth.com/covid19.
