Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, who announced on Sunday, Dec. 27 a more contagious strain of COVID-19 was discovered within Island Health. (flickr/Gov't of B.C.)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

covid-19 update

B.C.’s first case of more contagious U.K. COVID-19 strain found in Island Health

Dec 27, 2020 | 1:43 PM

NANAIMO — Island Health is home to the first identified case in B.C. of a more contagious COVID-19 strain.

“The individual, who resides in the Island Health region, returned to B.C. from the U.K. on flight AC855 on Dec. 15, 2020, developed symptoms while in quarantine and was immediately tested,” a joint statement from the province said on Sunday, Dec. 27.

“A small number of close contacts have been isolated and public health is following up with them daily.”

The passenger had arrived in Canada slightly less than one week before ban on passenger flights from the U.K. was implemented.

The mutated strain of COVID-19 first identified in the U.K. doesn’t have more serious effects, but “studies suggest (it) can spread more quickly and easily,” according to the joint statement.

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“All British Columbians have to remember the virus spreads quickly but shows up slowly.”

As of Christmas Eve, which was the most recent day COVID-19 cases were reported, there were 65 active cases of COVID-19 within Island Health.

Roughly half are found in south Vancouver Island, with 22 in central Vancouver Island.

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