B.C. officials confirm province’s first known case of COVID-19 British variant

VICTORIA, B.C. — British Columbia authorities have confirmed the first known case of a resident infected with the British variant of the COVID-19 virus.

KOMO News reports an individual on Vancouver Island returned from the U.K. December 15th and developed symptoms while in quarantine.

The person tested positive for the virus four days later.

CBC News reports B.C.’s Provincial Health Officer and Health Minister said in a joint statement Sunday there is no evidence the new COVID-19 variant is more likely to cause severe illness, nor is there evidence to suggest approved vaccines will be any less effective against the new variant.

In the U.S., the CDC has issued a similar statement, with top infectious disease doctor Anthony Fauci noting “you really need to assume it’s here already.”