There has been a confirmed case of the B.1.1.7 variant, originally identified as the UK variant, in a high school student in Dryden.
The Northwestern Health Unit expects more cases to be confirmed in the upcoming days.
It’s unclear if this is linked to the COVID-19 outbreak identified at the Walmart store in that community.
Public health officials says it could be connected to an earlier case that has continued to spread in the community.
“The only way to know if someone has COVID-19 is to get tested. When people have a symptom but don’t get tested or isolate, COVID-19 spreads,” says Dr. Kit Young Hoon, the region’s Medical Officer of Health.
She adds it’s also critical for anyone with symptoms and their household members to self-isolate immediately.
“It is disheartening and also dangerous when people do not follow precautionary measures when ill,” says Dr. Young Hoon.
