For the first time in its region, the Eastern Ontario Health Unit has confirmed that four COVID-19 cases as variants of the virus. Three of the cases are tied to employees at the St-Albert Cheese Co-op, located in St. Albert, Ont., which is temporarily closed as it deals with the outbreak. Eastern Ontario Health Unit sees first cases of COVID-19 variant CBC News Ottawa 0:51 Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, medical officer of health with the Eastern Ontario Health Unit, says it’s not surprising that a variant of the COVID-19 virus has shown up in the region. "We were a bit more aggressive in terms of managing and investigating because of the fact that was the first time we found the areas of concern in our region," said Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, medical officer of health with the Eastern Ontario Health Unit. Variant will be 'our biggest challenge': epidemiologistDoug Manuel, a physician and epidemiologist at The Ottawa Hospital, said control measures will help, but given these strains are more contagious, people should expect cases of the variant in eastern Ontario to climb.

Source: CBC News February 26, 2021 18:18 UTC