SOUTH AFRICAN COVID-19 VARIANT CASE CONFIRMED

Ontario has reported its first case of a COVID-19 variant that emerged in South Africa, with the province's top doctor says more such infections are expected to be found. Dr. David Williams said Monday that the South African variant was detected in Peel Region in a person who had neither travelled nor had any known contact with anyone who travelled. “This is our first South African one. I would doubt if it's going to be our last,” he said. Williams said data from South Africa show the variant has a higher viral load, meaning it may be more infectious. A small number of cases has already been confirmed in other provinces, including Alberta and British Columbia. The South African variant is one of three “variants of concern” that Public Health Ontario is ramping up screening for. As of Sunday, 69 cases of the U.K. variant were confirmed in the province, though regional officials have said they believe the number is likely much higher.