458 cases of COVID-19 variants detected across Canada

More than 450 cases of the COVID-19 variants have now been detected across Canada.

On Friday, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer confirmed that there have been over 429 cases of the UK variant (B.1.1.7), 28 cases of the South African mutation (B.1.351), and one case of the Brazilian variant (P.1) found in eight provinces.

At least three of those provinces have reported evidence of community spread, Dr. Theresa Tam said, adding that the variants have also been linked to outbreaks in several provinces.

She did not specify which provinces have reported the cases of the variants.

Ontario has reported 69 cases of the UK variant, and one case each of the South African and Brazilian mutations.

Quebec has confirmed eight cases of the B.1.1.7 variant and three cases of the B.1.351 variant.

There have been 156 cases of the various variants detected in Alberta, 93 of which have no ties to travel.

British Columbia has reported 40 cases of the UK and South African variants.

Tam previously confirmed that New Brunswick and Saskatchewan had both detected a case of the mutations.

The COVID-19 variants are up to 70% more transmissible than the initial strain of the virus. There has been no evidence to suggest that approved vaccines will be any less effective against them.