B.C. reports first case of South African COVID-19 strain

VICTORIA – British Columbia's provincial health officer expressed concern as she reported the first South African strain of COVID-19 uncovered in the province.

Dr. Bonnie Henry says the person who contracted the South African variant had not travelled or had contact with anyone who did.

She says officials are investigating where this person might have picked up the virus.

Another person has also tested positive for the British variant of the virus, bringing that total to four cases, all connected to travel. Henry says there doesn't appear to have been any community spread of those infections.

Officials reported 536 new infections and seven new deaths.

This brings the total number of cases in B.C. to 59,608 and 1,038 fatalities.

So far, 52,605 people have recovered from the virus and 69,746 COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 14, 2021.