Niagara's public health office said the latest COVID-19 mutation to be discovered in the region is the so-called 'double mutation' of the COVID-19 virus, also named B.1.617. The variant was first discovered in India last month and has been closely watched by the medical community as the country is dealing with a devastating outbreak of the disease.
The discovery of the strain also prompted Canadian officials to impose a 30-day ban on flights from India and Pakistan amid a lack of definitive medical data around the variant after it was found in the country on April 22. While not yet designated a 'variant of concern' like its Brazilian, South African and U.K counterparts, the mutation is labeled a 'variant of interest' as researchers scramble for more data. The designation means that global health authorities like the WHO currently do not yet see the need for stronger public health measures.
It was not clear when or where in Niagara the case of the new strain was discovered. ThoroldToday.ca has requested comment from Niagara Public Health.
NRPH reported 123 new cases of COVID-19 and two new outbreaks on Wednesday. 137 cases were listed as resolved, bringing the active case count in Niagara to 2,055 after over 1,000 cases were subtracted from the count yesterday, due to a data reporting error.
The Dalhousie Unit at Royal Rose place in Welland is the latest healthcare institution to report an outbreak of COVID-19.
At least 395 Niagara residents have passed away after testing positive for the virus.
Ontario reported less than 3,000 cases of COVID-19 today, which is a drop in daily cases for the second day in a row. However, the death count remains elevated with 44 new deaths reported, which is the highest daily death count since mid-February.
