by Health officials say the UK and South African variants of COVID-19 have been found in Nova Scotia as the province reports four new cases of the old variant and the extension of the COVID-19 State of Emergency today.
The two new variants were found in one person each in the Central Zone after tests done last month.
Premier Stephen McNeil says both cases were related to international travel and both people self-isolated as required.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang says the cases don’t come as a surprise and they serve as a reminder of the importance of keeping up public health measures.
Strang says there does not appear to be any community spread of either variant but more cases are expected.
Of the cases of the old variant reported today, there’s two new travel-related cases in the Western Zone, including a student at Acadia University in Wolfville.
There’s also a new travel-related case being reported in the Central Zone as well as another case in the Northern Zone who’s a close contact of an earlier reported case.
The State of Emergency is being extended to at least February 7th.