By News Desk  @bactiman63

Toronto health officials two cases of COVID-19 variants of concern–the P.1 COVID-19 mutation (Brazil) and the B.1.351 mutation (South Africa)–for the first time in Toronto residents.

Image/CDC

The individual with the P.1 COVID-19 mutation recently travelled from Brazil. This patient is hospitalized. This is the first case of P.1 COVID-19 variant of concern reported in Toronto.

The first confirmed case of the B.1.351 mutation had no recent travel history and has had no known contact with anyone who is a returned traveler.

Scientists and medical professionals are concerned that these variants are more transmissible than the original coronavirus. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevent (CDC) has indicated that research is ongoing to determine more about these variants to better understand how easily they might be transmitted and the effectiveness of currently authorized vaccines against them.

As of February 6, 2021, there are 27 confirmed variant of concern cases in Toronto.