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While the most immediate COVID variant concerns center on the highly transmissible B.1.1.7 variant - which has become the overwhelmingly dominant virus in the UK over the past couple of months, and appears to be on track to become dominant across much of the globe in 2021 - it is not without some serious competition.
Right now there are two other VOCs (variants of concern) - the P.1 variant with was first detected in Brazil, and the B.1.351 variant which first emerged in South Africa - that may prove equally transmissible, and have been linked to reduced antibody recognition, which is feared might reduce vaccine effectiveness or increase reinfection rates.
Whether these two viral contenders can compete head-to-head against easily transmitted B.1.1.7 variant now - or in the future - remains to be seen, but their international spread is raising alarm bells around the globe.
While testing for these variants remains both limited and time consuming - and the numbers we have are likely just the tip of the iceberg - yesterday Toronto Public Health announced their first detections of each of these variants.
Of note, while the P.1 variant case had recently returned from Brazil, the B.1.351 variant case had no recent travel history, or known contact with a recent arrival.
First COVID-19 cases linked to Brazilian and South African variants of concern identified in Toronto
News Release
February 7, 2021
Toronto Public Health (TPH) is reporting that a Toronto resident has tested positive for the P.1 COVID-19 mutation, known as the Brazilian variant of concern. The individual, who is hospitalized, recently travelled from Brazil. This is the first case of P.1 COVID-19 variant of concern reported in Toronto.
TPH is also reporting the first confirmed case of the B.1.351 mutation in a Toronto resident, known as the South African variant of concern. This case has no recent travel history and has had no known contact with anyone who is a returned traveler.
Scientists and medical professionals are concerned that these variants are more transmissible than the original coronavirus. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevent (CDC) has indicated that research is ongoing to determine more about these variants to better understand how easily they might be transmitted and the effectiveness of currently authorized vaccines against them.
As of February 6, 2021, there are 27 confirmed variant of concern cases in Toronto. TPH is investigating and managing these cases.
At this time Ontario’s State of Emergency and stay-at-home order remain in effect. TPH advises Torontonians to be extremely mindful of time spent outside your household with anyone who doesn’t live with you. Necessary trips outside home should be kept as brief as possible and for purposes defined in the Province’s Stay at Home order, designed to save lives, stop the spread of COVID-19, prevent the hospital system from becoming overwhelmed and protect vulnerable populations and those who care for them. Please think through what steps you can take to keep trips outside the home as low-contact as possible, for your own protection and the protection of others. Wearing a mask remains a valuable and vital tool for self-protection in public and particularly at work.
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