More contagious COVID-19 variant spreads in York Region

Residents reminded to stay home except for essential travel

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 14, 2021
Kim Zarzour

The new, more contagious strain of COVID-19 appears to be spreading in York Region without ties to travel.

York Region Public Health has found three individuals from Georgina and Richmond Hill who have tested positive for the variant. None of these people have any travel history, said Patrick Casey, director of corporate communications.

This is in addition to four other cases in King Township linked to a person who had travelled recently to the UK and tested positive Dec. 22.

The first case, which public health learned of Jan. 2, spread to three family members the individual had dinner with after the trip, Casey said.

There is no evidence the variant causes more illness or death, or that the vaccines wouldn’t work against it, but Ontario’s associate chief medical officer of health, Dr. Barbara Yaffe, said that “it’s very likely” there are more cases circulating and it seems to be "at least 56 per cent more transmissible," presenting a very serious concern that the vaccine will not be able to address it quickly enough.

“This serves as an important reminder all individuals arriving from international travel must self-isolate for 14 days,” Casey said.

The federal Quarantine Act rules apply to all travellers, even those who do not have symptoms, he added.

It’s also essential to provide all history of contacts and contact information if you test positive in order to prevent and control the infection, Casey said.

York Region residents who test positive for COVID-19 and their close contacts may receive a text message asking them to complete a voluntary assessment form.

Federal and provincial health officials are expanding surveillance efforts to watch for further signs of the variant.

With the newly declared provincial emergency, residents are required to stay home, continue following COVID-19 safety protocols and download the COVID-19 app to help with contact tracing.

More information is available on the region’s website at York.ca/covid19