Important to step up genomic sequencing to detect the COVID-19 variant worldwide: WHO chief

The head of the World Health Organization says it's important to step up genomic sequencing to detect a COVID-19 variant worldwide that has cropped up in parts of Canada.

New variants discovered this month appear to be more infectious and have triggered sweeping travel restrictions.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the new variants are cause for concern.

He says variants will only be found if countries are testing effectively.

Canadian health officials report a more contagious new strain of the novel coronavirus virus was found in three parts of the country.

The variant first seen in the UK has been found in Ottawa, the Vancouver Island area of BC and in Durham Region east of Toronto.