The Saskatchewan Health Authority has issued a COVID-19 Variant Cases update for February 23.

B1.1.7 UK has been detected in two residents in the Regina zone. These individuals were tested at the end of January. Based on the contact investigation to date, there is no link to travel at this time but public health's investigation is ongoing.

B1.351 SA (South Africa) has been detected in one resident in the North Central zone. This individual was tested at the end of January. Public health's investigation is on-going.

There is a presumptive case of B1.1.7 UK in one individual in the Saskatoon zone. The individual was transferred from out province to Saskatoon for acute care. Whole genome sequencing will need to be completed to confirm the results. Public health's contact investigation in on-going.

This brings the provincial total of confirmed variant of concern cases to six: five B1.1.7 UK including one presumptive case, and one B1.351 SA.

All residents with a confirmed COVID-19 test are required to isolate to reduce the risk of 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.

The Government of Saskatchewan continues to plan for the impact of variants on COVID-19 including any required increase to public health measures and surge capacity planning.