Quebec confirms its first case of COVID-19 variant from UK

Quebec’s health minister has confirmed the province’s first case of the COVID-19 variant initially discovered in the UK.

On Tuesday, Christian Dube said the person who tested positive is a family member of someone who returned from the UK on December 11.

The traveller and three members of their family all tested positive for the virus, but only one was confirmed to be carrying what’s known as the “S” variant.

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So far three cases of the new variant have been detected in Ontario, with the first cases being detected in a couple from Durham on December 26.

And on December 27, health officials from BC confirmed the first case of the variant, followed by Alberta, which confirmed their first case on Monday.

Data suggests that the COVID-19 UK variant can be transmitted faster than the initial strain of the virus. However, there is no evidence to suggest that the mutation causes more severe illness or that vaccines will be any less effective against it.

Canada has banned all flights from the UK until at least January 6, 2021.