The Middlesex-London Health Unit has confirmed the region's first case of the U.K. variant of COVID-19.
The individual is in their 80s, and has no history of travel outside of Canada. The individual had been previously diagnosed with COVID-19, and has now been confirmed as the first person in the Middlesex-London region to test positive for the U.K. variant.
In a statement released Saturday, the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) said the individual's illness has been resolved. They add that there are no other confirmed cases of the U.K. variant in the region at this time.
The variant was first identified in Kent, United Kingdom on September 20, 2020. Ontario’s first case of the variant strain was identified in Durham Region on December 26, 2020.
"This is the first indication that the COVID-19 U.K. variant is present in London and Middlesex County," said Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Chris Mackie in the statement. "The best way to protect yourself and the community from further spread is to follow public health advice to the letter and adhere to the stay-at-home order issued by the province."
Mackie added later in a tweet that the case was from December, and the individual had no contact with a traveller.
"This means U.K. variant has likely been here for about two months," he said.
https://twitter.com/Healthmac/status/1350557437871403017
Data from the U.K. indicates that the variant may spread 50 per cent more easily than other variants of the virus.
-With files from Ruby Sweeney
