No variant cases in South zone yet

There are 120 variant cases of COVID-19 in Alberta but none in the South zone yet, according to online data from Alberta Health.

Calgary zone has 58 cases, Edmonton 43 and Central zone 19. Several of the variant cases were identified from samples collected through the border pilot program at Calgary International airport that started on Nov. 2.

“As part of testing for the variant, we have gone back to test all positive tests in border pilot participants and returning international travellers since November. This is a key part of our ongoing work to limit the spread of variants in Alberta,” said Tom McMillan, spokesperson for Alberta Health.

Since Nov. 2 international travellers arriving at Calgary International Airport or returning from the U.S. through the Coutts land border crossing had the option of taking a COVID-19 test at those locations. It was an option that allowed travellers to potentially reduce the 14-day quarantine period if they did not test positive for COVID and then followed other requirements.

There have been some recent changes to this border pilot program due to concerns about the variants.

“Returning travellers from the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil are not eligible to participate in the border pilot program,” said a press release this week from Alberta Health.

Other participants must remain in quarantine until receiving a negative result from their second test on day seven or eight (counting arrival day as day one). Previously they were out of quarantine after a negative result on the first test at the airport. Participants can also not return to childcare, out-of-school care, schools, post-secondary institutions or workplaces outside their home for 14 days.

McMillan says Alberta is currently screening 300 positive tests a day for the variants: B.1.1.7 (UK Variant) and

B.1.351 (South African Variant).

Those 300 daily tests currently include the vast majority, if not all, of the positive COVID-19 tests identified each day including international travellers who test positive, said McMillan.

A PCR test, which is the type of test to detect COVID-19, is used to screen for the variants, he said. Another 400 tests per week include full genetic sequencing done, said McMillan.