Alberta confirms first cases of COVID variant from Brazil

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. Ontario is reporting three new cases of the novel coronavirus today, bringing the total in the province to 18. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-NIAID-RML via AP

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Alberta has detected its third variant of COVID-19.

Health officials confirmed Sunday the variant first found in Brazil has been found in the province.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw tweeted the two cases, both travel-related, were found thanks to the “aggressive screening processes in place.”

Hinshaw added she knows variant cases can cause anxiety, but assured Albertans that public health is working hard to prevent their spread.

Both people are isolated and their close contacts are being offered extra testing.

Evidence suggests the P-1 variant can spread more easily than currently circulating strains of the novel coronavirus. It’s already been found in other provinces, including Ontario and B.C.

The B.1.1.7 variant from the UK and the N501Y variant from South Africa have also been found in Alberta.