A Third Case of the UK COVID-19 Variant Reported in Saskatchewan

The Saskatchewan Health Authority is reporting a third case of the UK COVID-19 variant (B.1.1.7).

The case has been detected in a resident in the Saskatoon zone. The contact investigation has determined that one case has travelled from south east Asia.

The individual was tested mid-January. The individual quarantined following the travel and is now no longer infectious. Public Health's contact investigation indicates that all contacts of this resident have been identified and there is no indication of further transmission. If required, Public Health will issue a public service announcement to alert the general public to any risk due to any confirmed case of a variant of concern.

While the Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory is testing travelers for variants of concern, those tests must be genome-sequenced at the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg at this time. This process can take one to two weeks.

The RRPL is planning to increase their capacity to complete genome sequencing in Saskatchewan.